STAND. COM. REP. NO. 176

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 496

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 496 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Board of Agriculture to define the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity"; and

(2) Require the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2026.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Island Harvest; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and three individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that there is no clear and comprehensive definition for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity" in existing law. Establishing universal definitions for these terms would provide more effective policy implementation, ensure that resources are directed to those truly engaged in farming, and help the State achieve its agricultural and environmental objectives.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to require the Board of Agriculture to solicit and include stakeholder input in drafting the definitions for "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity"; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 496, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 496, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair