STAND. COM. REP. NO. 785-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 812

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. 812, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize any contract for the purchase of local produce having a value over $25,000 to have a term of at least five years; provided that the contract contains a price adjustment clause to either increase or decrease the value.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; State Procurement Office; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee notes the concerns raised in testimony requesting that the contracts executed pursuant to this measure include a force majeure clause, given that the farming and ranching industries are especially vulnerable to natural disruptions.

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. 812, 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