STAND. COM. REP. NO. 788

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 493

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 493, 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 establish a Hawaii agriculture and forest carbon positive incentive program within the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, Climate Protectors Hawaii, and two individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Agriculture, Office of Planning, and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that the State's commitment to reach zero emissions by 2045 requires the reduction of emissions, mitigation of greenhouse gases, and investment in carbon-positive actions.  Your Committee also finds that the management of smaller parcels of land plays an important role in managing natural and agricultural resources.  Your Committee further finds that incentives are necessary to reduce carbon emissions and increase carbon sequestration so that the State can meet its food security and carbon emission goals.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that appropriate steps must be taken to streamline and overcome the limits of existing programs that are designed to help the State meet its carbon emission goals.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that the Chairperson of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, or the Chairperson's designee, shall serve as the Chairperson of the reviewing committee, and that the Chairpersons of the Boards of Agriculture and Land and Natural Resources, or their respective designees, shall serve as members of the committee;

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, and the effective date of the appropriations to July 1, 2051, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

 

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments 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 S.B. No. 493, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 493, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair