HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2006

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE

Rep. Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr., Chair

Rep. Clift Tsuji, Vice Chair

Rep. Jerry L. Chang

Rep. Glenn Wakai

Rep. Robert N. Herkes

Rep. Kyle T. Yamashita

Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu

Rep. Chris Halford

Rep. Michael Y. Magaoay

Rep. Bud Stonebraker

NOTICE OF HEARING

DATE:

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

TIME:

9:00am

PLACE:

Conference Room 325

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

HB 2165

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Includes agricultural industrial enterprises and agricultural infrastructure improvements under the scope of special purpose revenue bonds for industrial enterprises.

AGR, FIN

HB 2177

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VII, SECTION 12, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize the State to issue SPRBs and use the proceeds from the bonds to assist agricultural businesses operating on important agricultural land.

AGR, JUD, FIN

HB 2178

RELATING TO SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS.

Allows the authorization of special purpose revenue bonds for certain agricultural enterprises that construct or renovate irrigation systems or infrastructure that directly benefit and serve important agricultural lands.

AGR, JUD, FIN

HB 2776

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PERTAINING TO AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvement projects pertaining to agriculture.

AGR, FIN

     

HB 2253

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO CONVERT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S ANIMAL QUARANTINE SHELTER INTO AN ANIMAL SHELTER TO BE USED DURING DISASTERS.

Makes an appropriation to convert the DOA animal quarantine shelter in Halawa, Oahu, into an animal shelter facility for use during disasters.

AGR, FIN

HB 2272

RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE LOANS.

Increases from $25, 000 to $75, 000 the chairperson's authority to approve agricultural loans and aquacultural loans.

AGR, FIN

HB 2767

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Appropriates interim funding for the fruit fly eradication program.

AGR, FIN

HB 2769

RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Establishes that agricultural businesses shall remain eligible for tax incentives under the EZ program in the event of force majeure. Allows agricultural businesses to meet annual gross revenue requirements if the businesses are unable to meet annual full-time employee requirements. Clarifies the definition of "full-time employees". Specifies that tax credits taken in the EZ program cannot be duplicated in other tax incentive programs.

AGR/EDB, LAB, FIN

HB 2771

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR AN AGRICULTURAL PARK IN ROYAL KUNIA.

Appropriates funds for the planning of an agricultural park in Royal Kunia.

AGR, FIN

HB 2772

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROPERTY DAMAGE TO AGRICULTURAL AND AQUACULTURAL PROPERTY.

Increase criminal penalties for damage to agricultural and aquacultural property.

AGR, JUD

HB 2774

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Appropriates $1,000,000 for the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation to conduct agricultural research and market development.

AGR, FIN

HB 2775

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Appropriates $4,000,000 for drought mitigation projects in each county.

AGR, FIN

HB 2777

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LEASES.

Specifies that for reopenings of agricultural park leases, appraisals shall be based on highest and best use determined through an agricultural income capitalization approach considering the potential yield from the property.

AGR, FIN

HB 2796

RELATING TO HONEY.

Requires honey produced in Hawaii to be labeled according to its origin. Requires department of agriculture to adopt rules to certify compliance with labeling and purity requirements.

AGR, CPC

     

 

DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

PERSONS WISHING TO TESTIFY ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT 25 COPIES OF THEIR TESTIMONY AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING TO: (1) THE COMMITTEE'S VICE CHAIR IN ROOM 326, STATE CAPITOL, OR (2) THE HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS TESTIMONY DROP OFF BOX IN THE TURNAROUND AREA OF THE CAPITOL BASEMENT PARKING LOT. TESTIMONY MAY ALSO BE FAXED IF LESS THAN 5 PAGES IN LENGTH TO THE HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS OFFICE AT: 586-6501 (OAHU) OR 1-800-535-3859 (NEIGHBOR ISLANDS). WHEN FAXING, PLEASE INDICATE TO WHOM THE TESTIMONY IS BEING SUBMITTED, THE DATE AND TIME OF THE HEARING, AND THE REQUIRED NO. OF COPIES THAT IS NEEDED FOR SUBMITTAL.

IT IS ALSO REQUESTED THAT THE COPIES BE ON ONE SIDE OF AN 8-1/2" X 11" SHEET WITH TWO HOLES PUNCHED AT THE TOP. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6010.

IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE OR AUXILIARY AIDS AND/OR SERVICES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS OF THE STATE HOUSE (I.E., SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY, OR PARKING DESIGNATED FOR THE DISABLED), PLEASE CONTACT THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING SO ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.

SELECTED HEARINGS ARE BROADCAST LIVE ON "O`LELO COMMUNITY TELEVISION" (CHANNELS 52, 53, AND 54). CHECK THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE BROADCAST SCHEDULE THROUGH THEIR WEB SITE AT WWW.CAPITOLTV.ORG FOR A LISTING.

 

 

________________________________________

Rep. Felipe P. Abinsay, Jr.

Chair