STAND. COM. REP. NO. 929-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2595

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2595, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REGIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PRODUCTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds for the Regional Agricultural Feasibility and Food Systems Production Studies Working Group to provide coordinated, region-specific agricultural production and crop feasibility analysis across the State; and

(2) Require the Working Group to submit an interim report and final statewide agricultural feasibility and food systems production report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Food Industry Association; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2595, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair