STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3223

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     H.B. No. 2216

        H.D. 2

        S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2216, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Authorize the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to package and sell a portion of its agricultural loan portfolio to permitted third parties; and

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds out of the Agricultural Loans Revolving Fund to increase its expenditure ceiling.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that while Act 69, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, revitalized the Agricultural Loan Program, the current budgetary ceiling limit has proved insufficient to meet the increased demand for program participation.  Your Committee believes that authorizing a partial sale of the loan portfolio for the Program will generate new capital to further fund the Program without the infusion of additional general fund appropriations.  This measure will support farmers and ranchers and help them obtain the necessary financial resources to invest in land preparation, equipment, infrastructure, diversification, and long-term productivity.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     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 H.B. No. 2216, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2216, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair