STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1253-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2405

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. 2405, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Housing Hawaiʻi's Future; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Your Committee finds that one of the most persistent barriers facing the State's agricultural sector is the critical shortage of stable, affordable housing for agricultural workers. Agricultural producers statewide consistently report that the lack of workforce housing directly limits their ability to recruit and retain workers, scale production, and sustain long-term operations. For rural communities, farm workers face long commutes or overcrowded living conditions, or are priced out of nearby housing. These limitations weaken Hawaii's progress toward food security goals, undermine rural economic stability, and hinder the growth of local agriculture. This measure establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group to explore policies and recommend solutions to address the shortage of agricultural workforce housing.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as a member of the Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group;

(2) Authorizing, rather than requesting, the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to provide administrative support to the Working Group;

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

(4) 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. 2405, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2405, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Housing.

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

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair