STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1572

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 756

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 756, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require that one of the at-large positions on the Board of Agriculture be the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission; and

 

     (2)  Provide that the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission shall not serve on the Board of Agriculture until the expiration of a current at-large member's term.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Department of Agriculture supports, enhances, promotes, and protects the State's agriculture and aquaculture industries.  The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act authorizes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to lease agricultural lands or lands used for aquaculture purposes.  As the State looks to increase food security across the State, the interests of agricultural homestead lessees should be represented on the Board of Agriculture.  This measure requires one of the at-large members of the Board of Agriculture to be filled by the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 756, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair