STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2755

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 Committee on Ways and Means, 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 and intent of this measure is to strengthen the State's agricultural workforce.

More specifically, this measure:

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

(2) Requires 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) Requires reports to the Legislature; and

(4) Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Local Food Coalition, and four individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education and University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the State's agriculture industry depends on cultivating a skilled, culturally grounded, and resilient agricultural workforce. Your Committee also finds that, while Hawaii imports over eighty per cent of its food, the State faces a shortage of young farmers and agricultural professionals. Your Committee further finds that these issues have made it difficult for small farms to scale up production, which is exacerbated by a weak workforce pipeline that is needed for sustainable growth in the State's agricultural sector.

Your Committee believes that the program established and funded by this measure will help address these workforce shortage issues and support the State's food security.

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. 2320, 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