STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1028-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1832

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. 1832, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a biological aquatic risk-based framework for the assessment and approval of aquatic livestock importation and movement;

(2) Establish an Interagency Working Group to assist in implementing the framework between agencies; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity's Division of Animal Industry to:

(A) Implement framework-based permitting operations;

(B) Conduct annual framework updates;

(D) Maintain interagency coordination activities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and two individuals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1832, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1832, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair