STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1397-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2169

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 2169, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire by condemnation any real property or interest in real property under certain conditions; and

(2) Prohibit any real property acquired by the Agribusiness Development Corporation by condemnation from subsequently being transferred or taken for any other public use without the Corporation's consent.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee finds that one of the constant challenges facing Hawaii's agricultural sector is the inability to access land or property interests necessary for the development of essential agricultural infrastructure. Your Committee further finds that granting the Agribusiness Development Corporation the authority to acquire real property or interest in real property by condemnation for agricultural purposes will enhance the State's long term food security and agricultural resilience.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Exempting certain public lands held by the State or set aside for public purposes from the Agribusiness Development Corporation's authority to acquire real property or interest in real property by condemnation;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2169, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2169, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair