STAND. COM. REP. NO.323-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2271

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2271 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO ABATE AGRICULTURAL THEFT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this Act is to establish an interagency task force to abate agricultural theft.

The Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Aquaculture Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and the Hawaii Forest Industry Association testified in support. The Department of Agriculture opposed this measure.

Theft is one of the largest problems facing the aquacultural and agricultural industries in Hawaii. Over a million dollars worth of product is stolen annually. Although sympathetic, police departments do not consider this high priority, and arrest and conviction of these thieves are often difficult. The formation of this task force is a first step in developing solutions to stem the tide of increased agricultural and aquacultural theft.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2271 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

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

 

____________________________

FELIPE P. ABINSAY, Chair