STAND. COM. REP. NO. 571-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1604

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1604, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Economic Revitalization of the City and County of Honolulu; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and Housing Hawaiʻi's Future. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Your Committee finds that the shortage of agricultural workforce housing continues to hinder farm operations and the stability of the State's agricultural sector. Your Committee further finds that the lack of adequate housing options for the agricultural sector not only affects the quality of life for agricultural workers but also impacts the overall productivity and sustainability of Hawaii's farming industry. This measure enables a focused, collaborative effort to address longstanding challenges in providing safe and adequate housing for the State's agricultural workforce.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Authorizing, rather than requesting, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to provide administrative support to the working group;

(2) Requiring the Working Group to gather data and information and survey farm operators to assess the realistic demand for farm workers; and

(3) 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 Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1604, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1604, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair