STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2775

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2319

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. 2319, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and to convert the position from temporary to permanent status.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, East Oahu County Farm Bureau, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that improving grant application and management capacity at the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity will benefit farmers and ranchers statewide by increasing the State's ability to secure federal and private grants that support agricultural production, biosecurity, food security initiatives, and related infrastructure. Your Committee further finds that maintaining a permanent grant writer position will improve institutional knowledge, continuity, and long-term competitiveness for obtaining federal grant funding.

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. 2319, 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