HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-07 Letter to Mike Gabbard and Russell E. Ruderman SB 2282 Relating to Agriculture (2) .o;01•51f„4 , Roy Takemoto
�. "•:1:;•• Managing Director
•
Harry Kim ;+'�1F�
Mayor •
' Barbara J. Kossow
oi M► Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
February 7, 2020
Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair
Senator Russell E. Ruderman, Vice Chair
Committee on Agriculture and Environment
Dear Chair Gabbard, Vice Chair Ruderman, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 2282 Relating to Agriculture
SB 2282 does not have a preamble, but its contents reflect the vulnerabilities agriculture has to
theft and vandalism. Our news media has documented farmers who have gone out of business
because of their losses, and the problem seems to get worse year by year.
The Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney's office has had an investigator working on
agricultural crimes, and we have received positive comments from the agriculture community about
his work. We therefore believe that a statewide program is warranted, based on the results achieved
on the Big Island. As to whether a new program needs to be established within the Department of
Agriculture, I defer to the wisdom of this Committee. Especially if the DOA does not welcome having
such a new program, a more efficient and effective approach could be for the Department of
Agriculture to contract with County prosecutors, or for this Legislature to fund county prosecutors
directly.
Whatever your decision, we support the idea of a statewide, state-funded, anti-theft program,
and urge favorable consideration of SB 2282.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry
MAYOR
County of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.