STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1588-16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2659

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2659, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL HEMP,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish an Industrial Hemp Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to allow the cultivation of industrial hemp and distribution of its seed in the State for agricultural or academic research, and appropriate funds for one full-time equivalent position in DOA to effectuate the pilot program.

 

     Revolution Aloha, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawaii Farmers Union United - Kona Chapter, Maui Hemp Institute for Research and Innovation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Kihei Community Association, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The DOA, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., and Wear on Earth – Hawaii commented on this measure.

 

     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 S.B. No. 2659, S.D. 2, 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