STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3299

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2007

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2007, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii for the Local and Immigrant Farmer Education Program.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Kako'o Oiwi; and five individuals.  Two individuals submitted written comments on the measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that many producers do not have the essential tools and capabilities to successfully integrate into mainstream agriculture.  The valuable agricultural knowledge and support that Cooperative Extension Service Agents provide has not only supported a revitalization of the agriculture industry but has also increased the viability and sustainability of commercial farms in Hawaii.  Therefore, your Committee believes that this measure will further the Local and Immigrant Farmer Education Program's goal to assist growers in becoming self-directed, active information seekers and adopters of new research-based advances.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

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

 

(2)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes 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 H.B. No. 2007, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2007, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair