STAND. COM. REP. NO.  954-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2035

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2035, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Set a deadline for the transfer of certain non-agricultural park lands from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture; and

 

     (2)  Clarify that the care and production of pasture land constitutes "agricultural activities" for purposes of non-agricultural park lands.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Meadow Gold Dairies; Ulupono Initiative; Local Food Coalition; Hawaii Coffee Association; McCandless Ranch; Kapapala Ranch; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Circle5Ranch; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Meats LLC; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Sierra Club of Hawaii, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, The Wildlife Society – Hawaii Chapter, and three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2035, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair