STAND. COM. REP. NO. 168-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1572

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1572 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to:

(1) Establish a four-year Restorative Aquaculture Development Program to reduce aquaculture permit processing time, support restorative aquaculture infrastructure expansion, increase aquaculture education and its workforce, and pursue federal aquaculture grants;

(2) Establish three pilot demonstration sites for restorative aquaculture; and

(3) Convene a Restorative Aquaculture Advisory Council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaiʻi Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association; and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's favorable climate, geographic isolation, and strong local demand for seafood position the State to support a range of aquaculture activities. Your Committee further finds that the expansion in sustainable aquaculture, as provided in this measure, will enhance local food production, diversify the State's economy, and improve resilience.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the members of the Restorative Aquaculture Advisory Council shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses that are necessary for the performance of their duties;

(2) Changing the appropriations to unspecified amounts;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $4,500,000, to be distributed as follows:

(1) $2,000,000 for aquaculture infrastructure development;

(2) $600,000 for aquaculture workforce development and technical assistance;

(3) $1,000,000 for the pursuit of federal grants;

(4) $500,000 for the establishment, operation, and monitoring of restorative aquaculture pilot demonstration sites; and

(5) $400,000 for the establishment and administration of the Restorative Aquaculture Development Program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1572, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1572, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair