STAND. COM. REP. NO. 933-26

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1604, H.D. 2, 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 Hawaiian Affairs; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Housing Hawaiʻi's Future; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

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 H.B. No. 1604, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair