STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1514-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2405

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2405, S.D. 1, H.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 Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaiʻi; Housing Hawaiʻi's Future; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Your Committee finds that the shortage of agricultural workforce housing continues to hinder farm operations and the stability of the State's agricultural sector. Your Committee further finds that the lack of adequate housing options for the agricultural sector not only affects the quality of life for agricultural workers but also impacts the overall productivity and sustainability of Hawaii's farming industry. This measure enables a focused, collaborative effort to address longstanding challenges in providing safe and adequate housing for the State's agricultural workforce.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Expanding the membership of the Working Group to include the mayors of each county;

(2) Expanding the responsibilities of the Working Group to include:

(A) Gathering data and information and surveying farm operators; and

(B) Considering revisions to zoning, building, and land use policies to facilitate workforce and innovative housing; and

(3) 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 Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2405, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Water & Land in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2405, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

____________________________

LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair