STAND. COM. REP. NO.  647

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   H.B. No. 817

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 817, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Establish benchmarks that require each principal state department that purchases produce to ensure that a certain minimum percentage of the produce purchased by that department is locally grown, starting with ten percent by January 1, 2025, and progressing to fifty percent by January 1, 2050; and

 

     (2)  Require that each department report to the Legislature annually on their progress in meeting those benchmarks.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Malama Kauai, Kauai Food Hub, Blue Zones Project, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Coffee Association, Hawaii SEED, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Land Use Research Foundation, and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, and Ulupono Initiative.

 

     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. 817, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair