STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3006

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     H.B. No. 1968

        H.D. 1

        S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1968, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources cooperative extension service for four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) ornamental plant extension agents.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii System, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Tropical Flower Council, Orchid Growers of Hawaii, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Ag Matters, Performance Landscapes, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and numerous individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources is in critical need of personnel for its cooperative extension service to improve and strengthen Hawaii's sustainability in agriculture through educational programs.  The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources houses a cooperative extension service, which partners with federal, state, and county governments to provide science-based information and education programs in agriculture, natural resources, and human resources.  The cooperative extension service also provides valuable tools accessible to the public to strengthen communities and sustain Hawaii's agricultural economy.

 

     Your Committee further finds that due to a decrease in extension agents who serve the various counties, many of the community services that the extension service offers have been cut, most importantly ornamental plant services.  This measure addresses the budgetary shortfalls experienced by the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources cooperative extension service by appropriating funds for additional full-time equivalent ornamental plant extension agent positions.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1968, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1968, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

 

 

 

________________________________

KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair