STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3297

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1572

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 1572, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to:

(A) Establish a Restorative Aquaculture Development Program to reduce aquaculture permit processing time, support aquaculture infrastructure expansion, increase the aquaculture workforce, and pursue federal aquaculture grants;

(B) Establish three pilot demonstration sites for restorative aquaculture; and

(C) Convene a Restorative Aquaculture Advisory Council;

(2) Require reports to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and three individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that the State currently imports approximately ninety percent of its food supply, creating vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Aquaculture development, particularly restorative aquaculture that emphasizes ecosystem services, provides a direct pathway to increase local food supply and regenerate coastal ecosystems. This measure will help increase agricultural production, foster unique career paths in aquaculture, and revitalize natural ecosystems, thus directly advancing the State's goal to promote environmental stewardship and food security.

Your Committees have 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 records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Economic Development and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1572, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1572, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Economic Development and Tourism,

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair