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 Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i System, Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Tropical Flower Council, Orchid Growers of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Floriculture and Nursery Association, Landscape Industry Council of Hawai‘i, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Ag Matters, Performance Landscapes, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Crop Improvement Association, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and numerous individuals.
Your
Committee finds that the University of Hawai‘i 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 Hawai‘i 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,
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________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair |
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