STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2547

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2961

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2961 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to establish a two-year Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State; and

(2) Require a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2026.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and Kanalani Ohana Farm.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committee finds that the lack of agricultural workforce housing, especially in rural communities, is an overlooked and longstanding problem that inhibits the growth of Hawaii's agricultural industry. According to testimony received by your Committee, farmworkers cope with a range of problems, including high costs that typically do not fit their incomes; substandard, crowding housing conditions; and the need for short-term housing during the planting and harvest seasons.

The Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group (Working Group) established in this measure can help identify the agricultural workforce housing needs in each county and the barriers to meeting the housing needs for farm and ranching businesses in the State. However, your Committee notes further recommendations made by the Department of Agriculture to:

(1) Require the Working Group to gather data and information and survey farm operators to assess the real demand for farm workers;

(2) Appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture to undertake data and information gathering, survey farm operators, administer to the needs of the Working Group, and hire consultants with the expertise in addressing agricultural workforce housing needs; and

(3) Appropriate funds for Royal Kunia Agricultural Park capital improvement project as it will enhance the duties of the Working Group.

Your Committee respectfully requests that these recommendations be considered as this measure moves forward in the legislative process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2961 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair