STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1990-26

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 Water & Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2405, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, 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 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; County of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Kanalani Ohana Farm; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and Housing Hawaiʻi's Future.

Your Committee finds that this measure adopts a strategic, collaborative approach by convening key state agencies, agricultural organizations, and subject-matter experts. This cross-sector method is essential to resolving the legal, zoning, financial, and land-use challenges that have historically impeded the development of agricultural workforce housing.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land 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. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair