STAND. COM. REP. NO.  694-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2181

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2181, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

(1)  Appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture for a pilot program to identify and purchase foreign agricultural technology, including small equipment tractors and retrofit engines, that will benefit the State's farmers and ranchers and comply with the Environmental Protection Agency's emission standards; and

 

(2)  Require the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature on the pilot program's progress and any findings, recommendations, or proposed legislation.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Ulupono Initiative, and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2181, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair