STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1387-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2319

S.D. 1

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. 2319, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the existing temporary grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and to make the position permanent.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Local Food Coalition; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that many of Hawaii's farmers and ranchers struggle to secure the financial support needed to grow and sustain their businesses. While grants from the United States Department of Agriculture, State, counties, and private entities offer valuable funding opportunities, the complex grant application processes can deter farmers from applying. Without specialized knowledge in grant writing, many farmers and ranchers miss out on critical resources that could strengthen the local agricultural industry. This measure appropriates funds to maintain funding for a permanent grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to continue assisting farmers and ranchers in navigating the application process, securing funding, and fulfilling grant requirements.

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. 2319, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2319, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair