STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2105

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2154

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 S.B. No. 2154 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study of agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers;

(2) Require a report to the Legislature;

(3) Appropriate funds for the one-year study of agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers; and

(4) Appropriate funds to establish two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions to collect agricultural data and conduct data analysis for public consumption.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; and Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that over the past four decades, the value of all agricultural products in the State has been in decline. Your Committee further finds that knowledge of agricultural markets both locally and abroad will help Hawaii farmers make strategic decisions for their operations and increase the likelihood of successful farming. In addition, having staff that are experienced and knowledgeable about Hawaiian agriculture is key to interpreting and understanding data that is collected. Your Committee concludes that by increasing staffing and funding for a study of agricultural markets, this measure will give farmers and ranchers the information they need to guide land use practices and conduct effective farming operations.

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 S.B. No. 2154, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2154, 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,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair