STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2746

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3233

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. 3233, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support Hawaii's agricultural workforce by incorporating agricultural workforce housing as a scored public benefit within existing state evaluation and decision-making processes.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires any state agency administering agricultural leases, licenses, development programs, or procurements involving agricultural products to award additional points and preferences to projects that voluntarily provide agricultural workforce housing; and

(2) Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the 2027 Regular Session on the implementation, challenges, and potential expansion of the incentive scoring provisions established by this measure.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farmers Union, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that access to safe, affordable housing for agricultural workers is fundamental to maintaining a stable and reliable food supply. Farmworkers face significant housing shortages, living space overcrowding, and long work commutes due to limited available and affordable housing stock. By incentivizing reliable and proximate agricultural workforce housing this measure will not only directly help agricultural workers and producers but will also have additional benefits for the general public by helping to secure a sustainable food supply, ease traffic congestion, and support 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. 3233, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair