STAND. COM. REP. NO. 309

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1158

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1158 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONTROLLED-ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's (CTAHR) Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, MetroGrow Hawaii, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, and nine individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and one individual.

Your Committees find that there is a need for a comprehensive approach to controlled-environment agriculture, which can be accomplished through the construction of a state-of-the-art controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility. Your Committees note that controlled-environment agriculture includes hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics, and vertical farming, which could offer efficient, sustainable, and climate-resilient solutions for food production in the State. Your Committees further find that the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa represents an ideal location for this facility to be established at commercial scale with research and teaching capabilities. Upon completion, the facility and associated activities will serve as a platform for research, extension, education, and demonstration activities to develop the next generation of researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners. This measure authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility to secure the future of agriculture in the State.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the name of the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to reflect their name change;

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1158, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1158, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair