STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2587

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2320

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2320 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Program to create career pipelines in the fields of agriculture and agricultural technology;

(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;

(3) Require reports to the Legislature; and

(4) Appropriate funds.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Local Food Coalition, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and thirteen individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committees find that the State's agricultural industry faces continuous workforce shortages and an aging farmer population. The State's ability to increase food production, strengthen climate resilience, and modernize agriculture therefore depends on building a workforce pipeline that is visible, attainable, and aligned with real jobs. Other states, including Connecticut and California, have demonstrated the manifold benefits of enacting sustained, structured training pathways for agricultural careers. This measure will support the long-term viability of local food production, biosecurity efforts, and economic resilience.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2320, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2320, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair