STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2765

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2802, S.D. 1, 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 establish and appropriate moneys for bachelor's degree programs in education and agricultural science at Leeward Community College.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that both the education and agricultural sectors in the State continue to face shortages of qualified candidates to fill vacant positions. As the population of farmers and ranchers ages, the agricultural industry sees labor shortages across the agricultural supply chain that create barriers to entry and growth. Similarly, schools continue to encounter teacher shortages, unfilled vacancies, and frequent turnovers that threaten to impact the services provided to students in Hawaii's schools. Establishing bachelor's degree programs in education and agricultural sciences will help increase the number of qualified candidates for jobs in these fields and allow program graduates to contribute to their local communities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2802, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair