STAND. COM. REP. NO. 326-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2594

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. 2594 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that many Hawaii farms are smaller diversified agricultural operations that face significant difficulties in securing affordable insurance protection. The existing insurance infrastructure is largely built for large-scale monoculture operations, and insurance products, such as crop insurance, may have reporting requirements beyond the capability of these smaller farm operations. The study required by this measure will help identify insurance challenges and regulatory barriers for smaller operations in obtaining insurance coverage and possible solutions or remedies.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the deadline for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to submit its report to the Legislature regarding the study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers to twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2028; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

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. 2594, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2594, 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