STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3155

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2594

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2594, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Direct the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers;

(2) Require a report to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, and Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee finds that current crop insurance infrastructure is largely built for large-scale, monoculture farming operations, creating significant barriers for many small, diversified farming operations throughout the State. Additional data is required for the development of insurance products tailored to Hawaii producers that reflect the State's crop diversity and agricultural landscape variance. This measure would evaluate options such as state-supported group insurance programs, purchasing pools, public-private partnerships, and other innovative models to identify ways to make insurance more affordable and relevant for small agricultural producers in the State to help ensure producers can better manage risk related to weather, pests, and other disruptions.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2594, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2594, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair