STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1994-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2319

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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2319, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for a grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and convert the position from temporary to permanent.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Local Food Coalition; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Ulupono Initiative; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi; Restore the Commons; and one individual.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2319, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair