HB 1185: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's climate, with a year-round growing season and ample rain in many areas, offers several potential advantages for growing plant-based materials that can be processed into structural building materials.  For example, there are types of clumping bamboo that can grow very rapidly with sufficient water; be processed into building materials that are stronger, more flexible, and lighter than timber or steel; and be made more fire- and termite-resistant than wood.  For example, "hempcrete", developed from industrial hemp, can substitute for building blocks, while "biocements", produced from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae or "pond scum"), can substitute for Portland cement.

     The legislature further finds that these and other plant-based building materials could also attract green agricultural jobs to Hawaii.  The legislature also finds that the use of plant-based building materials could help the State meet its net negative carbon and greenhouse gas emission goals because they sequester carbon, whereas the production of traditional building materials, such as timber, steel, and cement, emit very large amounts of greenhouse gases.

     Therefore, the legislature finds that this issue is a matter of statewide concern.  Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a working group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established within the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resilience a plant-based building materials working group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii, including for the provision of green agricultural jobs in Hawaii and the sequestration of carbon and greenhouse gases to help the State meet its net negative carbon and greenhouse gas goals.

     (b)  The working group shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  The dean and director for research and cooperative extension of the university of Hawaii, or the dean and director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the working group;

     (2)  The director of the university of Hawaii at Hilo college of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management, or the director's designee;

     (3)  The chairperson of the board of agriculture, or the chairperson's designee;

     (4)  The coordinator of the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission;

     (5)  Four individuals who have expertise in growing or producing plant-based building materials, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group;

     (6)  An expert in building materials, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group, in consultation with the General Contractors Association of Hawaii; and

     (7)  Additional members with appropriate specialized expertise, as recommended by the members of the working group and at the discretion of and to be invited by the chairperson of the working group.

     (c)  The members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties.

     (d)  The working group shall submit to the legislature:

     (1)  An interim report regarding the progress of its work no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026; and

     (2)  A final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     (e)  The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2027.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the work of the plant-based building materials working group established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

UHCTAHR; Plant-based Building Materials Working Group; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a Plant-based Building Materials Working Group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's climate, with a year-round growing season and ample rain in many areas, offers several potential advantages for growing plant-based materials that can be processed into structural building materials.  For example, there are types of clumping bamboo that can grow very rapidly with sufficient water; be processed into building materials that are stronger, more flexible, and lighter than timber or steel; and be made more fire- and termite-resistant than wood.  For example, "hempcrete", developed from industrial hemp, can substitute for building blocks, while "biocements", produced from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae or "pond scum"), can substitute for Portland cement.

     The legislature further finds that these and other plant-based building materials could also attract green agricultural jobs to Hawaii.  The legislature also finds that the use of plant-based building materials could help the State meet its net negative carbon and greenhouse gas emission goals because they sequester carbon, whereas the production of traditional building materials, such as timber, steel, and cement, emit very large amounts of greenhouse gases.

     Therefore, the legislature finds that this issue is a matter of statewide concern and the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a working group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established within the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human reslience a plant-based building materials working group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii, including for the provision of green agricultural jobs in Hawaii and the sequestration of carbon and greenhouse gases to help the State meet its net negative carbon and greenhouse gas goals.

     (b)  The working group shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  The dean and director for research and cooperative extension of the university of Hawaii, or the dean and director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the working group;

     (2)  The director of the university of Hawaii at Hilo college of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management, or the director's designee;

     (3)  The chairperson of the board of agriculture, or the chairperson's designee;

     (4)  The coordinator of the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission;

     (5)  Four individuals who have expertise in growing or producing plant-based building materials, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group;

     (6)  An expert in building materials, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group, in consultation with the General Contractors Association of Hawaii; and

     (7)  Additional members with appropriate specialized expertise, as recommended by the members of the working group and at the discretion of and to be invited by the chairperson of the working group.

     (c)  The members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties.

     (d)  The working group shall submit to the legislature:

     (1)  An interim report regarding the progress of its work no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026; and

     (2)  A final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     (e)  The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2027.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the work of the plant-based building materials working group established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

UHCTAHR; Plant-based Building Materials Working Group; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a Plant-based Building Materials Working Group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to agriculture.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's climate, with a year-round growing season and ample rain in many areas, offers several potential advantages for growing plant-based materials that can be processed into structural building materials.  For example, there are types of clumping bamboo that can grow very rapidly with sufficient water; be processed into building materials that are stronger, more flexible, and lighter than timber or steel; and be made more fire- and termite-resistant than wood.  For example, "hempcrete", developed from industrial hemp, can substitute for building blocks, while "biocements", produced from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae or "pond scum"), can substitute for Portland cement.

     The legislature further finds that these and other plant-based building materials could also attract green agricultural jobs to Hawaii.  The legislature also finds that the use of plant-based building materials could help the State meet its net negative carbon and greenhouse gas goals because they sequester carbon, whereas the production of traditional building materials, such as timber, steel, and cement, emit very large amounts of greenhouse gases.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a working group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established within the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resources a plant-based building materials working group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii, including for the provision of green agricultural jobs in Hawaii and the sequestration of carbon and greenhouse gases to help the State meet its net negative carbon and greenhouse gas goals.

     (b)  The working group shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  The dean and director for research and cooperative extension of the university of Hawaii, or the dean and director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the working group;

     (2)  The director of the university of Hawaii at Hilo college of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management, or the director's designee;

     (3)  The chairperson of the board of agriculture, or the chairperson's designee;

     (4)  The coordinator of the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission;

     (5)  Four individuals who have expertise in growing or producing plant-based building materials, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group;

     (6)  An expert in building materials, to be invited by the chairperson of the working group, in consultation with the General Contractors Association of Hawaii; and

     (7)  Additional members with appropriate specialized expertise, as recommended by the members of the working group and at the discretion of and to be invited by the chairperson of the working group.

     (c)  Members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, including travel expenses. 

     (d)  The working group shall submit to the legislature:

     (1)  An interim report regarding the progress of its work no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026; and

     (2)  A final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.

     (e)  The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2027.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support the work of the plant-based building materials working group established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

UHCTAHR; Plant-based Building Materials Working Group; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a Plant-based Building Materials Working Group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii.  Appropriates funds.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  876

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1185

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1185, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish, and appropriate funds for, a Plant-Based Building Materials Working Group within the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from 350Hawaii.org; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Environmental Change Agents' Building Decarbonization and Carbon Sequestration Task Force; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; and eight individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and University of Hawaiʻi System.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1185, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  610

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1185

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1185, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a working group within the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from 350Hawaii.org; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; and Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi.

     Your Committee finds that establishing a working group to conduct a study on growing plants that could be used for building materials in Hawaii will explore how best to develop a home-grown building materials industry and the creation of agricultural and green jobs in the State.  Your Committee further finds that the knowledge and expertise offered by the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience will help support the working group in conducting such a study.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1185, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1185, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  233

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1185

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1185 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a working group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and four individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's climate provides an ideal environment for cultivating plant-based materials that can be processed into sustainable building materials.  Fast-growing resources like clumping bamboo, industrial hemp, and biocements offer strong, flexible, and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional materials while also supporting carbon sequestration.  To explore this potential, this measure establishes and funds a working group to study and develop strategies for growing and producing plant-based building materials in Hawaii, which could result in the creation of green, agricultural jobs and help the State meet its net negative carbon and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that this measure is a matter of statewide concern;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1185, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1185, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Higher Education.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,