STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1909-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 136

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.R. No. 136, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Chairperson of Agriculture and Biosecurity or the Chairperson's designee to collaborate with appropriate state and county agencies and community-based organizations to develop a comprehensive statewide food security strategy.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee finds that approximately thirty-two percent of the State's households experience food insecurity, meaning they lack consistent access to sufficient, nutritious, and affordable food. Your Committee further finds that food insecurity imposes serious consequences on health, dignity, community resilience, and long-term economic stability. The statewide food security strategy urged by this measure is critical to addressing the complex and interconnected nature of food insecurity in the State and aligns with Hawaii's broader efforts to strengthen nutrition security, reduce administrative barriers, and encourage economic development.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requesting that the statewide food security strategy address barriers to access among individuals with disabilities and households with access and functional needs, align strategies with existing programs that serve these populations, and support community-driven solutions; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 136, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 136, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,

____________________________

GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair