CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 175-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2802

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2802, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds:

(1) To establish a Bachelor of Science degree program in Agricultural Science at University of Hawaii-West Oahu;

(2) To fund full-time positions; and

(3) For supplies and equipment to support the programs.

Your Committee on Conference finds that additional opportunities for higher education are critical to the maintenance of a consistent pipeline of well-educated applicants for the State's agricultural workforce. For example, many positions at the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity are specialized and require a Bachelor of Science degree. This measure will enhance the State's agricultural industries and support the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity's responsibilities and ongoing biosecurity efforts.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an appropriation amount of $375,000 for:

(A) The establishment of a bachelor's degree program in agricultural science at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu;

(B) One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position to administer and support the program; and

(C) Related supplies and equipment;

(2) Making it effective on July 1, 2026; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2802, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2802, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT Co-Chair	____________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM Chair
____________________________ IKAIKA HUSSEY Co-Chair	____________________________ MICHELLE N. KIDANI Co-Chair