STAND. COM. REP. NO. 743

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                

 

RE:    S.B. No. 651

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 651, 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 authorize the Board of Agriculture to make determinations on the eligibility of certain persons for leases to construct and operate facilities for agriculture or aquaculture, provided that certain criteria are met.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemens Council.

 

     Your Committee recognizes that recent developments in agriculture indicate a growing reliance on technological advances and methods that require substantial resources to build and maintain infrastructure for innovative agricultural models.  Your Committee notes that many farmers do not have sufficient financial resources readily available to them, forcing them to seek assistance from others outside of the State and elsewhere in the agricultural industry to acquire investment capital.  Your Committee believes that this measure may assist local farmers to obtain investment capital to establish and grow their businesses.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying the eligibility requirements of persons seeking agricultural leases to ensure consistent references to "crops or products" generated from the lease operations;

 

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

 

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the 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 S.B. No. 651, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 651, S.D. 2.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair