STAND. COM. REP. NO. 755-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2459

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2459, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FOOD AND PRODUCT INNOVATION NETWORK,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Food and Product Innovation Network to integrate a coordinated food safety and regulatory framework;

(2) Require the Agribusiness Development Corporation to:

(A) Establish performance indicators for the Food and Product Innovation Network;

(B) Develop and implement a market access strategy;

(D) Report certain data to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the operation of the Food and Product Innovation Network.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Community Development Authority and University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that Act 237, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, established the Food and Product Innovation Network as a statewide network of open-access food and value-added product development facilities to enable businesses to scale up new products from research and development to manufacturing and commercialization. These facilities will enable local producers to create value-added products, increase production capacity, and access larger markets, ultimately strengthening Hawaii's agricultural sector and boosting economic resilience.

Your Committee further finds that additional guidance is necessary to ensure that the Food and Product Innovation Network advances from a set of discrete facilities to a coordinated statewide economic system. This measure strengthens the Network by refining governance and integration among key state agencies; setting forth key performance indicators; and increasing market access, branding alignment, and growth opportunities for Hawaii businesses.

Your Committee has amended this measure by requiring certain surveys administered by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, rather than other designated agencies, to, where practicable, collect and leverage economic data on indigenous and Native Hawaiian businesses.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $1,750,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2459, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2459, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair