STAND. COM. REP. NO. 328-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2155

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2155 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for an Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Local Food Coalition; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

Your Committee finds that reliable, accurate, and timely agricultural data is essential to making informed decisions and the long-term success of Hawaii's farmers and ranchers. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity's existing Agricultural Statistics Program plays an important role in providing producers and policymakers with agricultural data.

Your Committee notes that, due to limited staffing, agricultural statistics and analysis provided by the Agricultural Statistics Program have not been as robust and comprehensive as originally intended. Recent downsizing of staff at the United States National Agricultural Statistics Service has further exacerbated the level of services provided. Your Committee believes that statutorily establishing and providing funds for the Agricultural Statistics Program will revitalize and enhance the Program, thereby ensuring that the Program will continue to provide accurate agricultural data that will support the growth of Hawaii's agricultural sector.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2155, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2155, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair