STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2643

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2706

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2706 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a five-year Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College and the Department of Human Resources Development; and

(2) Require a report to the Legislature.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and two individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from Department of Human Resources Development.

Your Committees find that access to a stable, well-trained workforce is key to maintaining biosecurity efforts across the State. Biosecurity and agricultural agencies face increasing difficulty recruiting qualified candidates due to the specialized education, training, and background experience required for many positions. Because these workforce shortages remain one of the most significant challenges facing the agriculture and biosecurity sectors, your Committees believe that intentional workforce investments are critical to mitigate the State's increasing reliance on food importation and weakening biosecurity mechanisms. This measure will assist the State in achieving its goals, such as doubling local food production, strengthening farm-to-school programs, diversifying the economy, and protecting natural resources.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2706, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2706, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Education,

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair