STAND. COM. REP. NO. 41

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 506

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. 506 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture to:

(1) Conduct a one-year study of agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers and submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2026; and

(2) Establish two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions to collect relevant agricultural data and conduct data analysis for public consumption.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that accurate and timely agricultural data is essential for the diversification and growth of Hawaii's agricultural sector. A study of agricultural markets for local farmers as proposed in this measure will provide valuable insights into consumer demand, market opportunities, and supply chain inefficiencies, helping farmers and ranchers make informed, evidence-based decisions to optimize their business strategies. According to testimony received by your Committee, the staff positions established and funded in this measure will strengthen the Department of Agriculture's ability to collect, compile, and analyze data, thereby enabling policymakers and stakeholders to track statewide progress towards key local food systems goals and direct public resources to support the agricultural sector more efficiently.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation for the one-year study to an unspecified amount;

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee notes that this measure, as amended, contains an unspecified appropriation amount. Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $200,000 for the one-year study.

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. 506, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 506, 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,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair