STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1770

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1294

H.D. 2

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1294, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Green Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Purple Maia Foundation, and numerous individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that the agricultural industry is an important sector of Hawaii's economy. Your Committee further finds that there is a shortage of agricultural workforce housing in the State, presenting challenges for maintaining an adequate agricultural workforce and affecting agricultural production. Your Committee believes that convening a workforce housing working group will help lead to solutions.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1294, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair