STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2180

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  S.B. No. 3005
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was
referred S.B. No. 3005 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE
     AQUACULTURE DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate unspecified
funds for operating, equipment, and restoration of a
microbiologist position in support of the aquaculture disease
prevention program.

     Testimony in favor of this measure was submitted by the
Hawaii Aquaculture Association and Mangrove Tropicals.  The
Department of Agriculture submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that after many years of struggle, the
aquaculture industry has begun to expand both production and new
products for market.  New technology and products also bring a
need for increased assistance in disease prevention, and on a
more timely basis than is possible with the current staffing and
funding levels for the aquaculture disease prevention program.

     Your Committee has heard from the Department of Agriculture
that the department is working to address the shortage by
establishing the authority to charge fees, developing additional
sources of revenue, and establishing a special fund so that
income can be channeled to the disease prevention program.  While

 
a                                                     SB3005
 
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2180
                                   Page 2


your Committee supports these efforts, members find that the
aquaculture industry needs assistance now.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of S.B. No. 3005 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and
be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Economic
                                   Development,



                                   ______________________________
                                   LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

 
a                                                     SB3005