House Standing Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems

Good morning. Is there something wrong with this side? But I like it. Let's just make sure the cameras show over there only. Thank you for coming to this full committee hearing today on the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems. Today is April 11th, and this is a 10:30 a.m. agenda, and we are convening in room 325.

Only on the right side, I am Vice Chair Matthias Kusch of the Agriculture Committee. And today we have Chair Kahaloa. And we'll have Rep. Quinlan joining us shortly.

Before we get started, I'm going to go over some brief housekeeping rules in order to allow us as many people to testify as possible to be a two-minute time limit per testifier. Because morning hearings must adjourn prior to the noon floor session, not all testifiers may have the opportunity to testify.

In that event, please know that your written testimony will be considered by the committee. Please keep yourself muted and your video off while waiting to testify. And after your testimony is complete, the Zoom chat function will allow you to chat with the technical staff only. Please use that chat only for technical issues.

If you are disconnected unexpectedly, you may attempt to rejoin the meeting. If disconnected while presenting testimony, you may be allowed to continue if time permits. Please note the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.

In the event of a network failure, it may be necessary to reschedule a hearing or schedule a meeting for decision-making. In that case, an appropriate notice will be posted. Please avoid using any trademark or copyright images. Please refrain from any profanity or uncivil behavior.

Such behavior may be grounds for removal from the hearing without the ability to rejoin. Okay, thank you. So first off, starting off, we will be hearing SCR88 requesting the Department of Agriculture to establish and administer microbial Algal soil products pilot program. Wow. And first to testify, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture in person.

Good morning, Chair. Vice Chair. Cedric Gates, here on behalf of the Department of Agriculture. The Department stands on a certain testimony offering supporting the intent here. For any questions, Mahalo. Thank you.

That is the only person or in person testimony. Do we have any Zoom seeing? None. Anybody else like to testify on this measure? Okay, we had one in support and two comments. Chair and single Committee Member. Questions?

No questions.

Okay, Moving on to SCR 139. Requesting the Department of Agriculture to designate Kunia Lelehua Plateau and Poa Moho Po Mo as the Central Oahu Agriculture Corridor and to establish a list prioritizing potential agricultural infrastructure improvement projects that would provide the most value to the state. Okay, first up to testify in person, Mr. Gates, Department of Agriculture.

Hello, chair, vice chair, senator. Cedric Gates here on behalf of the Department of Agriculture. We stand on our written testimony in support.

Thank you. And next up in person, we have Wendy Gady. Wendy Gady of Agriculture Development Corporation.

Good morning, chair, vice chair. Wendy Gady with the ADC. And we stand to support this question.

Thank you. Do we have anybody on Zoom on this? Nope. Anybody else like to testify? Please ma'am, please state your name and if you represent an organization.

Good morning, chair and vice chair. My name is Stephanie Whale and I'm representing the Cunea Village Agricultural Worker Housing. And I thought I sent in testimony. I think it was late, but I'm pretty sure it got in. Anyway, just want to.

I spoke to you before about the house concurrent measure here, but do want to add that agriculture is a business and I think you understand that. But it's a complicated business. It's not like just going into a warehouse and starting up a business. So it requires land, water, labor, transportation, marketing, warehousing and value added opportunities.

So the state has done a lot in the last 50 years since we've been trying to diversify agriculture and providing things for land and water, water. But they're here and there and everywhere. They're not put it together. And agriculture is a business that needs to have it put together. And that's what this bill is proposing.

Give us the opportunity, give the agency the opportunity to put together a plan for a corridor. And the reason they're using central Oahu is because in central Oahu you already have large, medium and small farmers. You have four water systems, two R1 water systems and two ditch systems.

And you have a company, a local company promising that they will market and transport the products from a hub. Okay. We have labor and warehousing. So they have all the elements that a farmer needs all in one continuous area.

And so I think that that's a very good effort to try to incentivize that area as we've been trying to incentivize. It's scattered. So that's, I just wanted to put that out there that this is an opportunity. If you pass this, you pass the first one from the House side.

So I'm just asking to pass this one also. But to make that change, that it goes to ADC, because that's her mandate. Department of Ag has mandate all over the place. So. So I think it's more appropriate to go to the ADC. So thank you for letting me probably go beyond two minutes.

Thank you. Appreciate that. And I don't see your testimony. So if you have a copy, could you drop it off with one of our staff before you leave? Thank you. Anybody else like to testify on this measure? Okay, member, any questions? No?

Okay, next up, we have SCR90 requesting the Agribusiness Development Corporation to assume responsibility for the routine maintenance and repair of the Kohala Ditch. And first off, we have depart, Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Mr. Gates.

Hello members. The Department stands on its written testimony.

Thank you. And I appreciate your word sticking a little bit because I, I got that going on too. Wendy Gady with the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

Good morning. Vice Chair, Chair, members of the committee. Wendy Gady with the Agribusiness Development Corp. We stand on our written comments.

Thank you. Is there anybody on Zoom for this measure? Okay, anybody else like to testify on this measure? Members, questions? Seeing none, we will move on to the next one.

SCR 164, 164, requesting the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules authorizing rodeos on land zoned for agricultural use. And first off we have Hawaii Department of Agriculture in person.

Thank you, Chair. The Department stands on its written testimony...[inaudible].

Okay, thank you. And next we have Nicole Galase from Hawai'i Cattlemen's Council on Zoom.

Thank you, Chair. Vice Chair. Members of the Committee, Nicole Galase. On behalf of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, we support this resolution as rodeos are key in building the skills needed for cattle production in Hawaii.

And these are skills that ensure proper animal handling for bona fide cattle producers. So it is appropriate for the Department of Ag to allow these events on their ag lands.

We also respectfully ask that the Committee add in authorizing rodeos, livestock events such as 4H activities, and cow horse equestrian events as all of these fall under supporting the ranching community, especially our keiki. Thank you for your consideration of this.

Thank you. That is, we had 12 in support, zero opposing and one comment. Do we have any other Zoom testifiers? Anybody in person like to testify on this measure? Members, questions? Okay, seeing none. We're going to SCR141 SD1 urging the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with Agribusiness Development Corporation regarding grant funding opportunities with the US Department of Agriculture.

And first off we have Wendy Gaydy of ADC, Member of the Committee, Wendy Gated. Okay, thank you. Hawaii Department of agriculture in person. Mr. Gates, thank you.

The Department stands on its written testimony, strong support of this measure.

Super. Thank you. Is there anybody on Zoom, Anybody in person like to testify on this? Members questions? Okay, Seeing none, we are moving on to SCR 94 SD1, urging the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture of the County of Maui to take further meaningful action to address the Axis deer overpopulation.

So first off, we have Nicole Galassi of Hawaii Cattlemen's Council on Zoom.

Aloha. Nicole Galassi, on behalf of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, we support this measure as access to are both an economic and environmental threat to the state. Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you. And then we don't have any other testifiers. Would anybody in person here like to testify? Mr. Gates?

I believe the. Cedric Gates here on behalf of the Department of Agriculture. I believe the Department submitted testimony. I'm not sure if you received it, but we are offering comments on this measure here for any questions. Mahalo.

Thank you. Sorry, we just didn't have you marked down, and I'm slave to my highlighter. Okay. Anybody else would like to comment on this measure, resolution? Members, comments? Okay, seeing none, we're going to go to SCR41SD1. This is encouraging each county to establish its own biosecurity plan that prioritizes the needs of the county.

First off, Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Mr. Gates, in person.

Thank you. The Department stands on a certain testimony, offering comments on this measure.

Okay, thank you. And then Christy Martin in person. Yeah, 100%.

Thank you. We also have Robert Hoff of DLNR. Did I say that right?

Yeah, you got it right.

Seems expensive. Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, Committee Member Christy Martin, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species CGAPS. CGAPS is in support of this measure. You know, Hawaii as a state is in an unusual position compared to the other states of the U.S. In that counties are largely, are not largely.

They are preempted from biosecurity, from enacting their own biosecurity regulations. Many states are able to allow counties to do that. That's how they manage or mitigate the movement of weeds between counties. That's how they address even mosquito diseases as they enter different places. But our counties don't do that.

And so having them not just plan but also articulate biosecurity needs, including legislation for their counties, I think is a really wise step. So mahalo for the opportunity.

Thank you. Is there anybody on Zoom that would like to. Anybody else like to testify on this measure? Okay, Members, any questions? Seeing none, we're going to move on to SCR 56 urging the United States government to develop a national biodiversity strategy. We have Emma Yuen in person. Oh, thank You. I saw her in the hallway.

Let me. Let her know I remembered. Just kidding. Just kidding. Thank you. Thank you, Robert. I appreciate that. Is there anybody on Zoom who would like to testify? Anybody else like to testify on this measure? Mr. Gates, the Department stands on a. This is SCR56. I don't have any. Okay, okay. No problem.

Appreciate you keeping me on my toes. Members, any questions? Okay, next measure is SCR 34 SD1. Requesting Hawaii's congressional delegation to petition the United States Department of Agriculture to address the lack of parity between Hawaii and other states and territories pertaining to the export of agricultural goods. Hawaii Department of agriculture in person, Mr. Gates.

Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee, Cedric Gates here on behalf of the Department of AG. We stand in strong support of this measure here for any questions.

Thank you. Is there anybody on Zoom who would like to testify? Anybody else like to testify on this? Okay, seeing none. Members, any questions? Okay, that is all of our resolutions today. Going to take a quick recess and then we'll go straight to decision making after that one.

Good morning and welcome back to the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems. Today is April 11th, 2025. We're at the 10:30 agenda in room 325, and we are doing decision-making only. Thank you for coming and sitting on the left side. Much more balanced. First off, we're going to be voting on SCR 88.

Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Is there any - oh, I'm sorry - is there any questions or comments, Members? Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Seeing no questions or comments - okay, I got, now I got my rhythm - Chair for the vote, please.

Thank you Chair. Voting on SCR 88. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Both Chair and Vice Chair vote aye. Representative Lowen

Aye.

Representative Perruso.

Aye.

Representative Quinlan, excused. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. Next up, we're voting on SCR 139, and the Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments, and those will be as follows. Amending the departments responsible for designation from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

Also amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose and making technical, non-substantive amendments for the purpose of clarity and consistencies. Members, is there any questions or comments? Chair for the vote.

Voting on SCR 139. Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments, noticing the presence of all Members except the excused absence of Representative Quinlan, who will be deemed absent for the remainder of these decision making. Any Members voting No? Any Members voting with reservations? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, Chair. Next up we have SCR 90. Chair's recommendation is to pass as is Members. Any questions, concerns? Seeing none. Chair for the vote.

Voting on SCR 90. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Any Members voting no or with reservations? Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, Chair. Next up we have SCR 164 SD1. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Members, Chair, any questions, concerns? Seeing none, Chair for the vote.

Thank you, Chair. Voting on SCR 164 SD1. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Noting the presence of all Members except the excused absence of representative Quinlan. Any Members voting no or with reservations? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, Chair. Next up, we're voting on SCR 141 SD1. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Members, Chair, questions, concerns? Seeing none, Chair for the vote.

Thank you, Chair. Voting on SCR 141 SD1. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Any Members voting no or with reservations? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, Chair. Next up we have SCR 94 SD1 and Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Members, questions, concerns? Seeing none. Chair for the vote.

Thank you, Chair. Voting on SCR 94 SD1. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Any Members voting no or with reservations? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. Next up we have SCR 41 SD1. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Members, Chair, questions, concerns? Seeing none. Chair for the vote.

Voting on SCR 41 Is that correct? Yes. 41 SD1. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Any Members voting no or with reservations? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, Chair. Next up we have SCR 56. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Members, Chair questions, concerns? Seeing none, Chair for the vote.

Thank you, Chair. Voting on SCR 56. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Any Members voting no or with reservations? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Okay, our final Bill today, SCR 34 SD1. Chair's recommendation is to pass as-is. Members, Chair, questions, concerns? Seeing none, Chair for the vote.

Voting on SCR 34 SD1. Chair's recommendation is to pass as is. Will any Members be voting no or with reservations see none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you Members of the Committee and Chair and test fires today. This concludes our hearing and decision making today and I appreciate it. Is this our last hearing?

Until conference, yes. Oh, we might have one next week.

Okay. All right. Until maybe next week.