STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3201

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 812

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 Government Operations, 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 and intent of this measure is to authorize a contract for the purchase of local produce having a value of more than $25,000 to be for a term of at least five years, under certain conditions.

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 finds that short-term contracts for the purchase of local produce do not provide the reliability that farmers and ranchers need to plan, invest in, and expand their businesses. This measure will create a more stable institutional market for farmers and ranchers, thereby advancing food security and sustainability, and helping the State achieve its goal of having thirty percent of food served in public schools consist of locally sourced products.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2525, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 812, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 812, 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 Government Operations,

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ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair