STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1903-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 23

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.R. No. 23 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON HAWAII'S FOOD MANUFACTURING STRENGTHS AND STRATEGIC MARKETS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study on Hawaiʻi's food manufacturing strengths and strategic markets.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawaii Farm Bureau; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Act 237, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, established the Food and Product Innovation Network, a statewide network of open-access food and value-added product developed facilities to enable businesses to scale up new and products by supporting research and development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Your Committee further finds that the successful implementation and growth of the Food and Product Innovation Network requires further examination of Hawaii's food manufacturing strengths and identification of strategic markets for local high-value, premium products. Accordingly, this measure requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study on Hawaii's food manufacturing strengths and strategic markets.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requesting the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit the proposed policy recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; 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 Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 23, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 23, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair