STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1248-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2320

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. 2320, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish and appropriate funds for the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Program in the University of Hawaii System to create career pipelines in the fields of agriculture and agricultural technology in the State; and

(2) Require the University of Hawaii to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and appropriate community organizations to develop and administer the Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Local Food Coalition; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's food system depends on cultivating a skilled, culturally grounded, and resilient agricultural workforce. Your Committee further finds that proven career-pathway models, such as hands-on agricultural science and technology education and regional innovation hubs, demonstrate measurable promise in building agricultural career pathways. This measure establishes the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Program within the University of Hawaii System to create a career pathway initiative in the fields of agriculture and agricultural technology to promote a stronger agricultural workforce in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) 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. 2320, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2320, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.

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

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair