STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3136

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1952

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1952, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for capital improvements for the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Agricultural Research and Extension Station on Kauai.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Kalepa Koalition; Saiva Siddhanta Church; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Kauai Nursery & Landscaping, Inc.; Hilo County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; East Oahu County Farm Bureau; Maui County Farm Bureau; and ten individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that outdated facilities at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Research and Extension Station on Kauai impede the Station's capacity to serve as a critical hub of innovation and support for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural communities. These services are especially important following storms and natural disasters, such as the recent Kona Low storm, as station agents work directly with farmers to identify and address rehabilitation needs. This measure therefore strengthens local agricultural capacity by providing for the modernization of station facilities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 31, 2055, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1952, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1952, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair