STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1581

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 71

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.R. No. 71 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A MICROBIAL ALGAE SOIL PRODUCTS PILOT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Request the Department of Agriculture to establish and administer a Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program (Pilot Program) that introduces microbial algae on agricultural lands in the State to address agricultural soil health while improving nutrient cycling, reducing fertilizer dependency, and enhancing overall soil health; and

(2) Request the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2026 and 2027.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that ensuring the overall health of soil is imperative to achieve the State's food resiliency and self‑sufficiency goals. Your Committee further finds that recent microbial algae soil products are an innovative and low‑risk agricultural method suitable for the State's unique natural environment. Your Committee believes that the adoption of microbial algae-based fertilizers is a sustainable and cost‑effective solution for the continued growth of the State's agricultural industry that also ensures the safety of local produce and products for consumption.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 71 and recommends its adoption.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair