STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2181

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2318

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 Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2318 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Codify the Agricultural Statistics Program in statute; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

Your Committee finds that agricultural statistics and analyses are a fundamental function of departments of agriculture nationwide and are necessary for agricultural producers and policymakers to make informed short- and long-term economic decisions with respect to the State's agricultural sector. Your Committee also finds, however, that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity has been unable to effectively fulfill this function due to limited staffing. This measure will enhance and revitalize the Agricultural Statistics Program and appropriate funds for additional staffing to develop and support a robust and resilient agricultural sector in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2318, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2318, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair