STAND. COM. REP. NO. 383-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2548

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committees on Agriculture & Food Systems and Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2548 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program, to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; 350Hawaii.org; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; CARES; and five individuals.

Your Committees find that the establishment of a Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program will provide funding for agricultural producers to obtain special-purpose equipment and technology and ancillary costs. The special-purpose equipment will help agricultural producers adapt to the increasing challenges posed by climate change while strengthening local food production and food security.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

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

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture & Food Systems and Energy & Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2548, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2548, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture & Food Systems and Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair

____________________________ CORY CHUN, Chair