STAND. COM. REP. NO. 121-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1952

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 Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1952 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvements for the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Agricultural Research and Extension Station on Kauai.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Saiva Siddhanta Church; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; and Kalepa Koalition; and eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's agricultural research and extension station on Kauai plays a critical role in supporting local agriculture, invasive species management, and community education, but its aging and non‑compliant facilities limit its ability to fulfill these functions. Your Committee further finds that investing in modern laboratories, certified kitchen space, and ADA‑compliant improvements will strengthen the station's capacity to conduct research, support food security, and serve Kauai's agricultural community. This measure provides needed capital funds to ensure the station can continue delivering essential services and adapt to emerging agricultural challenges.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the general obligation bonds authorization amount to an unspecified amount;

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

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1952, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1952, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair