STAND. COM. REP. NO. 540-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1616

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 Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1616, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow the disposition of agricultural park lots for commercial activity after the initial development of the agricultural park and regardless of whether the applicable county council approved plans and specifications for the future disposition of lots for commercial activity, with certain exceptions; and

(2) Authorize the care and production of swine and swine products within certain agricultural parks and under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Malama O Puna; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that this measure addresses practical challenges that have emerged in agricultural parks over the course of time. Although existing law allows limited commercial uses within agricultural parks, such as processing, marketing, displaying agricultural products, and value-added agricultural activities, those uses were often required to have been identified during the initial park development process. In practice, these requirements have restricted flexibility as agricultural parks evolve and as farmers' operational needs change.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1616, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair