STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1541-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: S.B. No. 2798
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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2798, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Department of Law Enforcement; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaiʻi; Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and six individuals.
Your Committee finds that agricultural crimes pose a significant and growing threat to the sustainability of the State's agricultural industry and undermine the rule of law in rural communities. Your Committee further finds that Act 235, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, established the Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii to strengthen enforcement and accountability for agricultural crimes, and that the pilot program has been effective. This measure makes the pilot program permanent and expands it statewide to enhance public safety and ensure consistent enforcement of laws protecting agricultural operations.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2798, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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