STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1516-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 3233

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 3233, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require state agencies that administer agricultural leases, licenses, development programs, or procurement involving agricultural products to award points or preferences to agricultural projects that voluntarily incorporate agricultural workforce housing.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Your Committee finds that the State's agricultural sector continues to experience persistent labor shortages driven in part by limited access to affordable and proximate housing for agricultural workers. The lack of workforce housing undermines farm stability, restricts production capacity, and weakens rural economies, while the provision of agricultural workforce housing produces broad public benefits that support food security, worker safety, and long‑term agricultural viability. This measure encourages voluntary investment in housing, strengthens workforce retention, and supports the resilience of Hawaii's agricultural and food systems.

Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying that state agencies may update existing scoring rubrics, guidelines, or program rules to implement this measure, notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary, instead of without the need for additional statutory authority.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3233, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3233, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair