STAND. COM. REP. NO. 875

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                

 

RE:    S.B. No. 338

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 338, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A FOOD HUB PILOT PROGRAM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to enhance the State's food security.

 

     More specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a five-year food hub pilot program to increase access to local food;

 

     (2)  Provides for the award of grant funding to qualified applicants wishing to establish or expand a food hub;

 

     (3)  Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to finance critical infrastructure upgrades for the Honalo Marshalling Yard; and

 

     (4)  Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit interim reports and a final report on the pilot program to the Legislature.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Office of Planning, University of Hawaii, Office of Climate Change Sustainability and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu, 350Hawaii, Aina Momona, Blue Zones Project, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Food+Policy Internship, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii SEED, Hawaii Ulu Producers Cooperative, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Kamehameha Schools, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Kauai Food Hub, Malama Kauai, North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership, Our Revolution Hawaii, Supersistence, Ulupono Initiative, and numerous individuals.

 

Your Committee received written comments on the measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure will help to establish and grow the number of food hubs in the State, which will ultimately widen access to institutional and retail markets for small to mid-sized producers and increase consumers' access to fresh and healthy food.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting the specific amounts appropriated and leaving them unspecified;

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

 

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B.


No. 338, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 338, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair