STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2487

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2704

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 Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2704 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUBSISTENCE GARDENING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity a temporary Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program;

(2) Require a report to the Legislature; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo, Taro Stewards, and twenty individuals.

Your Committee finds that community gardens are an excellent way to alleviate food insecurity, provide healthy outdoor activity, create a connection with agriculture, and strengthen communities. As local communities face rising food costs, supply chain instability, and limited access to land, community farms can supplement a food gap and lower costs for families. By supporting small community-based farm clubs, this measure recognizes that food security does not require massive acreage.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2704, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2704, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair