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Roy Takemoto <br /> ;•4oJ�ir of p;�,' Managing Director <br /> , Hyl4 <br /> •Harry Kim : +' `_ ,�, '•• <br /> 1fayor •e ,: _ Barbara J.Kossow <br /> �•r� �0Deputy Managing Director <br /> Of N. ;= <br /> County of Hawaii <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> February 25, 2020 <br /> Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair <br /> Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair <br /> Committee on Ways and Means <br /> Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair <br /> Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, Vice Chair <br /> Committee on Judiciary <br /> Dear Chairs Dela Cruz and Rhoads, Vice Chairs Keith-Agaran and Keohokalole, and Committee <br /> Members: <br /> RE: SB 2282, SDI Relating to Agriculture <br /> SB 2282, SD1 does not have a preamble, but its contents reflect the vulnerabilities agriculture <br /> has to theft and vandalism. Our news media has documented farmers who have gone out of <br /> business because of their losses, and the problem seems to get worse year by year. <br /> The Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney's office has had an investigator working on <br /> agricultural crimes, and we have received positive comments from the agriculture community about <br /> their work. We therefore believe that a statewide program is warranted, based on the results <br /> achieved on the Big Island. As to whether a new program needs to be established within the <br /> Department of Agriculture, I defer to the wisdom of this Committee. Especially if the DOA does not <br /> welcome having such a new program, a more efficient and effective approach could be for the <br /> Department of Agriculture to contract with County prosecutors, or for this Legislature to fund county <br /> prosecutors directly. <br /> Whatever your decision, we support the idea of a statewide, state-funded, anti-theft program, <br /> and urge favorable consideration of SB 2282, SD1. <br /> Respectfully Submitted, <br /> :,1/9//7- Imo` <br /> Harry Kim <br /> MAYOR <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />