STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2695

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2110

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2110, S.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 establish the Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health Incentive Program under the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii State Youth Commission, Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii, Citizens' Climate Lobby Hawaii, Green Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Haleakala Chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union United, Kanalani Ohana Farm, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, League of Women Voters Hawaii, Purple Maia Foundation Hawaii Food+ Policy Program, The Nature Conservancy, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's agricultural industry faces growing challenges due to climate change, soil degradation, and the need for enhanced food security and economic resilience. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity has reported having limited technical expertise and staffing to administer conservation agriculture and soil health incentive programs. This expertise gap may appropriately be addressed by the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and consolidating conservation programs under the Commission's jurisdiction will help eliminate structural barriers to the accessibility of conservation incentives. Accordingly, your Committee finds that this measure will help the State's agricultural sector, improve administrative efficiency, and strengthen the coordination of statewide agricultural conservation efforts.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2110, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair