STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1490-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2102

S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2102, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL HEMP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning July 1, 2026, authorize the use of hemp or hemp-derived feed ingredients in commercial feed for pets, specialty pets, and horses; and

(2) Require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to initiate rulemaking regarding the use of hemp-derived feed ingredients in certain commercial animal feeds by December 31, 2026.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Fibers; Hemp Paper Company; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Sustainable Farms; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Your Committee finds that hemp is a legally recognized agricultural commodity that can support value‑added production and new market opportunities for local farmers, provided that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect animal health and feed safety. Your Committee further finds that allowing industrial hemp‑derived ingredients in certain animal feeds, when regulated in alignment with federal law and science‑based standards, will diversify Hawaii's agricultural economy and strengthen local supply‑chain resilience.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

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 S.B. No. 2102, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2102, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair