STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2584

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2802

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 Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2802 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to establish bachelor's degree programs in education and in agricultural science at Leeward Community College to fund two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions, and form supplies and equipment to support the programs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System.

Your Committee finds that workforce availability remains one of the most significant challenges facing the agricultural industry in the State. Your Committee further finds that this labor shortage will only be exacerbated in the near future, as the majority of the State's farmers are nearing the age of retirement. The development of a new agricultural workforce trained in the technical, scientific, and operational skills required for modern agricultural operations is therefore integral to preventing the decline of local food production. This measure supports a sustainable, safe, and abundant food supply for the State by establishing critical educational pathways.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2802, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2802, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

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DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair