STAND. COM. REP. NO. 435

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1393

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1393 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to revitalize and enhance the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests; and

(2) Appropriate funds for program expenses and certain positions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawai‘i; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Farmers Union; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Information Practices.

Your Committee finds that timely and accurate agricultural statistics are crucial for informed decision-making, policy development, and the long-term success of Hawaii's agricultural industry. By leveraging electronic data collection methods and expanding insights into local and imported agricultural goods, this measure will support producers in optimizing operations, expanding market reach, and increasing food security.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying provisions related to the exemption of certain data and information collected from public disclosure, under certain conditions;

(2) Requiring, rather than authorizing, the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with national and local entities to enhance data collection, analysis, and reporting efforts;

(3) Changing the appropriation and allocation amounts to unspecified amounts;

(4) Changing the number of positions to unspecified numbers;

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

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $880,000, including $170,000 for the establishment of two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) agricultural economist positions; $280,000 for the establishment of four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) research statistician positions; $130,000 for the establishment of secured office space, equipment, the development of electronic data collection systems, and program expenses throughout the State; and $300,000 for contracted specialty surveys to be conducted by third-party entities focusing on critical agricultural data needs.

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 H.B. No. 1393, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1393, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair