STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1249-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2800

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 2800, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire, repair, and maintain irrigation systems in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi; and Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.

Your Committee finds that irrigation systems are critical infrastructure for Hawaii's agricultural sector, as they support local food production, diversified agriculture, and the long term viability of farming operations. Your Committee further finds that many of the State's existing irrigation systems are aging or in need of significant repair, threatening agricultural productivity and water efficiency. Your Committee believes that appropriating funds for the acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems in the State will help preserve and improve irrigation infrastructure that is essential to Hawaii's agriculture industry.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2800, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2800, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair