HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-22 Letter to Karl Rhoads, Glenn Wakai, Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran SB 759, SD1 Relating to Agriculture (Agricultural Theft)
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
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County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
February 22, 2019
Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair
Committee on Judiciary
Senator Glenn Wakai, Vice Chair
Committee on Judiciary
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz
Committee on Ways and Means
Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Dear Chairs, Vice Chairs, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 759, SD1 Relating to Agriculture (Agricultural Theft)
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of SB 759, SD1.
For about a year, our 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. The
preamble of this bill does a good job of explaining the vulnerabilities agriculture has to theft and vandalism, and
our news media has documented farmers who have gone out of business because of their losses.
In order to continue the program, state funding is both desirable and appropriate. I hope you will act
favorably on SB 759, SD1, and consider increasing funding to accommodate the expansion of the program to
Maui.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR