STAND. COM. REP. NO. 924-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1953

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1953, 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) Establish and appropriate funds for a two-year Conservation and Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; and

(2) Require the Department to report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Department of Research and Development for the County of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Ahiki Acres, LLC; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; The Kohala Center; Hawaiʻi ʻUlu Producers Cooperative; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Hawaiʻi Climate Future Forum's Regenerative Food Systems Working Group; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Banana Source; and numerous individuals.

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. 1953, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair