STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2085-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2706

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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2706, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a five-year Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College and Department of Human Resources Development, to equip students with knowledge, skills, expertise, and advancement potential in agriculture and biosecurity.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Resources Development.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2706, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair