HB 2155: DAB; Agricultural Statistics Program; Positions; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-23
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-03-24: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill creates a permanent Agricultural Statistics Program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to collect, analyze, and report data on local agriculture and the movement of fresh fruits and vegetables between islands, affecting farmers, transporters, and policymakers. It requires electronic data systems and a rotating schedule of expanded, sector-specific surveys on topics such as aquaculture, coffee, livestock, tropical fruits, vegetables, crop losses, farm technology, and agricultural tourism. The bill keeps individual responses confidential, allows partnerships with federal agencies, the university, and industry, and funds new economist and statistician positions, office space, data systems, and contracted specialty surveys.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Statutorily establishes the Agricultural Statistics Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Statutorily establishes the Agricultural Statistics Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to revitalize and enhance the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to revitalize and enhance the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2155 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the department of agriculture and biosecurity's existing agricultural statistics program plays a crucial role in providing producers and policymakers with essential data to guide short-term decision-making and long-term strategic planning. In fact, the department of agriculture and biosecurity has a statutory duty, and a contractual obligation with the United States Department of Agriculture, to ensure robust data collection and reporting across the State.
However, the department has experienced several shortcomings in the agricultural statistics program, including limited access to accurate and timely agricultural data and outdated collection, analysis, and dissemination of agricultural statistics, which limits insights into data that are critical to the movement of agricultural goods into and within the State. Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service personnel count has been reduced by thirty per cent since January 2025, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service recently announced that surveys will focus on collecting mandatory, core national-level data, increasing the urgency for the State to ramp up its ability to accurately map the State's agricultural commodities.
The legislature additionally finds that the department of agriculture and biosecurity's agricultural statistics program is critical to understanding the State's existing agricultural resources, including locally-grown agricultural products. Without the ability to accurately map the State's agricultural commodities, the State will be unable to meet the purchasing goals established by the Farm to School Act (Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021) and Farm to State Act (Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021).
The legislature further finds that in 2024, the department of agriculture and biosecurity launched a statewide process to address key economic challenges facing the agricultural sector and developed short‑term actions and a long-term strategy to address the shortcomings of its statistics program and other goals, such as boosting local product availability and expanding market capacity. The objectives of the long-term strategy are to:
(1) Collect, analyze, and report data and trends on the intra- and inter-island production, distribution, and sale of select agricultural products;
(2) Provide producers with the information needed to make informed decisions about planning, scaling operations, and exploring new growth or market opportunities;
(3) Provide other decision-makers with key analyses of production and production opportunities, trends, and growth to better allocate public resources to support agriculture and the public; and
(4) Support the strategic growth and development of Hawaii's agricultural sector by enhancing the statistics program's data collection, analysis, and reporting capabilities.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to revitalize and enhance the department of agriculture and biosecurity's agricultural statistics program by statutorily establishing an agricultural statistics program and appropriating funds for the program.
SECTION 2. Chapter 148, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"Part . Agricultural statistics
§148- Definitions. For the purposes of this part:
"Department" means the department of agriculture and biosecurity.
"Tropical fruit" means any fruit or nut identified as a tropical fruit by the United States Department of Agriculture and includes but is not limited to nuts, herbs, spices, or kalo or taro.
§148- Agricultural statistics program. The department shall:
(1) Collect data, provide analysis, and report on the intra- and inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products;
(2) Develop and maintain electronic systems for capturing and analyzing data on the intra- and inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products; and
(3) Establish a structured rotation schedule for expanded, consistent, sector-specific surveys to collect comprehensive data on key agricultural activities, including:
(A) Agricultural theft;
(B) Agricultural tourism;
(C) Aquaculture;
(D) Coffee;
(E) Crop and livestock losses;
(F) Farm technology;
(G) Horticulture and nursery;
(H) Livestock numbers and productivity;
(I) Producer expansion;
(J) Seed;
(K) Tropical fruits;
(L) Vegetables and melons; and
(M) Other surveys as may be determined necessary.
§148- Exemption. Data and information collected by the department for the purposes of this part or collected, compiled, and stored in the agricultural statistics program shall be confidential and shall not be subject to discovery or to disclosure under chapter 92F; provided that nothing in this section shall preclude disclosure of the information in a statistical or aggregate form that does not allow the identification of an individual person or entity. The State shall not be liable for any dissemination of information collected, compiled, or stored for use in the agricultural statistics program.
§148- Collaboration; partnerships. The department may:
(1) Collaborate with national and local entities, including the following, to enhance data collection, analyses, and reporting efforts:
(A) The United States Department of Agriculture;
(B) The United States National Agricultural Statistics Service;
(C) The United States Agricultural Marketing Service;
(D) The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics;
(E) The university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience;
(F) The university of Hawaii economic research organization; and
(G) Other state agencies as needed; and
(2) Establish partnerships with local producers, transportation companies, aggregators, and distributors to facilitate the electronic capture of and access to other data sets."
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 2026-2027 to be allocated as follows:
(1) $ for the establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) agricultural economist positions;
(2) $ for the establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) research statistician positions;
(3) $ for the establishment of secured office space, equipment, the development of electronic data collection systems, and program expenses for six islands; and
(4) $ for contracted specialty surveys to be conducted by third-party entities, focusing on critical agricultural data needs.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture and biosecurity for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
DAB; Agricultural Statistics Program; Positions; Appropriation
Description:
Statutorily establishes the Agricultural Statistics Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2155 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 2 |
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|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the department of agriculture and biosecurity's existing agricultural statistics program plays a crucial role in providing producers and policymakers with essential data to guide short-term decision-making and long-term strategic planning. In fact, the department of agriculture and biosecurity has a statutory duty, and a contractual obligation with the United States Department of Agriculture, to ensure robust data collection and reporting across the State.
However, the department has experienced several shortcomings in the agricultural statistics program, including limited access to accurate and timely agricultural data and outdated collection, analysis, and dissemination of agricultural statistics, which limits insights into data that are critical to the movement of agricultural goods into and within the State. Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service personnel count has been reduced by thirty per cent since January 2025, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service recently announced that surveys will focus on collecting mandatory, core national-level data, increasing the urgency to for the State to ramp up its ability to accurately map the State's agricultural commodities.
The legislature additionally finds that the department of agriculture and biosecurity's agricultural statistics program is critical to understanding the State's existing agricultural resources, including locally-grown agricultural products. Without the ability to accurately map the State's agricultural commodities, the State will be unable to meet the purchasing goals established by the Farm to School Act (Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021) and Farm to State Act (Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021).
The legislature further finds that in 2024, the department of agriculture and biosecurity launched a statewide process to address key economic challenges facing the agricultural sector and developed short‑term actions and a long-term strategy to address the shortcomings of its statistics program and other goals, such as boosting local product availability and expanding market capacity. The objectives of the long-term strategy are to:
(1) Collect, analyze, and report data and trends on the intra- and inter-island production, distribution, and sale of select agricultural products;
(2) Provide producers with the information needed to make informed decisions about planning, scaling operations, and exploring new growth or market opportunities;
(3) Provide other decision makers with key analyses of production and production opportunities, trends, and growth to better allocate public resources to support agriculture and the public; and
(4) Support the strategic growth and development of Hawaii's agricultural sector by enhancing the statistics program's data collection, analysis, and reporting capabilities.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to revitalize and enhance the department of agriculture and biosecurity's agricultural statistics program by statutorily establishing an agricultural statistics program and appropriating funds for the program.
SECTION 2. Chapter 148, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"Part . Agricultural statistics
§148- Definitions. For the purposes of this part:
"Department" means the department of agriculture and biosecurity.
"Tropical fruit" means any fruit or nut identified as a tropical fruit by the United States Department of Agriculture and includes but is not limited to nuts, herbs, spices, or kalo or taro.
§148- Agricultural statistics program. The department shall:
(1) Collect data, provide analysis, and report on the intra- and inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products;
(2) Develop and maintain electronic systems for capturing and analyzing data on the intra- and inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products; and
(3) Establish a structured rotation schedule for expanded, consistent, sector-specific surveys to collect comprehensive data on key agricultural activities, including:
(A) Agricultural theft;
(B) Agricultural tourism;
(C) Aquaculture;
(D) Coffee;
(E) Crop and livestock losses;
(F) Farm technology;
(G) Horticulture and nursery;
(H) Livestock numbers and productivity;
(I) Producer expansion;
(J) Seed;
(K) Tropical fruits;
(L) Vegetables and melons; and
(M) Other surveys as may be determined necessary.
§148- Exemption. Data and information collected by the department for the purposes of this part or collected, compiled, and stored in the agricultural statistics program shall be confidential and shall not be subject to discovery or to disclosure under chapter 92F; provided that nothing in this section shall preclude disclosure of the information in a statistical or aggregate form that does not allow the identification of an individual person or entity. The State shall not be liable for any dissemination of information collected, compiled, or stored for use in the agricultural statistics program.
§148- Collaboration; partnerships. The department may:
(1) Collaborate with national and local entities, including the following, to enhance data collection, analyses, and reporting efforts:
(A) The United States Department of Agriculture;
(B) The United States National Agricultural Statistics Service;
(C) The United States Agricultural Marketing Service;
(D) The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics;
(E) The university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience;
(F) The university of Hawaii economic research organization; and
(G) Other state agencies as needed; and
(2) Establish partnerships with local producers, transportation companies, aggregators, and distributors to facilitate the electronic capture of and access to other data sets."
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 2026-2027 for the following purposes:
(1) $ for the establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) agricultural economist positions;
(2) $ for the establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) research statistician positions;
(3) $ for the establishment of secured office space, equipment, the development of electronic data collection systems, and program expenses for six islands; and
(4) $ for contracted specialty surveys to be conducted by third-party entities, focusing on critical agricultural data needs.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture and biosecurity for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
DAB; Agricultural Statistics Program; Positions; Appropriation
Description:
Statutorily establishes the Agricultural Statistics Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to collect data on local agricultural interests. 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.
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2155 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the department of agriculture and biosecurity's existing agricultural statistics program plays a crucial role in providing producers and policymakers with essential data to guide short-term decision-making and long-term strategic planning. In fact, the department of agriculture and biosecurity has a statutory duty, and a contractual obligation with the United States Department of Agriculture, to ensure robust data collection and reporting across the State. However, the department has experienced several shortcomings in the agricultural statistics program, including limited access to accurate and timely agricultural data and outdated collection, analysis, and dissemination of agricultural statistics, which results in limited insights into data that are critical to the movement of agricultural goods into and within the State. Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service personnel count has been reduced by thirty per cent since January 2025, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service recently announced that surveys will focus on collecting mandatory, core, national-level data, increasing the urgency to for the State to ramp up its ability to accurately map the State's agricultural commodities.
The legislature additionally finds that the department of agriculture and biosecurity's agricultural statistics program is critical to understanding the State's existing agricultural resources, including locally-grown agricultural products. Without the ability to accurately map the State's agricultural commodities, the State will be unable to meet the purchasing goals established by the Farm to School Act (Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021) and Farm to State Act (Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021).
The legislature further finds that in 2024, the department of agriculture and biosecurity launched a statewide process to address key economic challenges facing the agricultural sector and developed short‑term actions and a long-term strategy aimed at addressing the shortcomings of its statistics program and other goals, such as boosting local product availability and expanding market capacity. The objectives of the long-term strategy are to:
(1) Collect, analyze, and report data and trends on the intra- and inter-island production, distribution, and sale of select agricultural products;
(2) Provide producers with the information needed to make informed decisions about planning, scaling operations, and exploring new growth or market opportunities;
(3) Provide other decision makers with key analyses of production and production opportunities, trends, and growth to better allocate public resources to support agriculture and the public; and
(4) Support the strategic growth and development of Hawaii's agricultural sector by enhancing the statistics program's data collection, analysis, and reporting capabilities.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to revitalize and enhance the department of agriculture and biosecurity's agricultural statistics program by statutorily establishing an agricultural statistics program and appropriating funds for the program.
SECTION 2. Chapter 148, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"Part . Agricultural statistics
§148- Definitions. For the purposes of this part:
"Department" means the department of agriculture and biosecurity.
"Tropical fruit" includes but is not limited to nuts, herbs, spices, kalo, taro, or any other fruit or nut identified as a tropical fruit by the United States Department of Agriculture.
§148- Agricultural statistics program. The department shall:
(1) Collect data, provide analysis, and report on the intra- and inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products;
(2) Develop and maintain electronic systems for capturing and analyzing data on the intra- and inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products; and
(3) Establish a structured rotation schedule for expanded, consistent, sector-specific surveys to collect comprehensive data on key agricultural activities, including:
(A) Agricultural theft;
(B) Agricultural tourism;
(C) Aquaculture;
(D) Coffee;
(E) Crop and livestock losses;
(F) Farm technology;
(G) Horticulture and nursery;
(H) Livestock numbers and productivity;
(I) Producer expansion;
(J) Seed;
(K) Tropical fruits;
(L) Vegetables and melons; and
(M) Other surveys as may be determined necessary.
§148- Exemption. Data and information collected by the department for the purposes of this part or collected, compiled, and stored in the agricultural statistics program shall be confidential and shall not be subject to discovery or to disclosure under chapter 92F; provided that nothing in this section shall preclude disclosure of the information in a statistical or aggregate form that does not allow the identification of an individual person or entity. The State shall not be liable for any dissemination of information collected, compiled, or stored for use in the agricultural statistics program.
§148- Collaboration; partnerships. The department may:
(1) Collaborate with national and local entities, including the following, to enhance data collection, analyses, and reporting efforts:
(A) The United States Department of Agriculture;
(B) The United States National Agricultural Statistics Service;
(C) The United States Agricultural Marketing Service;
(D) The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics;
(E) The university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience;
(F) The university of Hawaii economic research organization; and
(G) Other state agencies as needed; and
(2) Establish partnerships with local producers, transportation companies, aggregators, and distributors to facilitate the electronic capture of and access to other data sets."
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 2026-2027 for the following purposes:
(1) $ for the establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) agricultural economist positions;
(2) $ for the establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) research statistician positions;
(3) $ for the establishment of secured office space, equipment, the development of electronic data collection systems, and program expenses for six islands; and
(4) $ for contracted specialty surveys to be conducted by third-party entities, focusing on critical agricultural data needs.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture and biosecurity for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
DAB; Agricultural Statistics Program; Positions; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to revitalize and enhance the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests. 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.
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2155 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to agricultural statistics.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the department of agriculture and biosecurity's existing agricultural statistics program plays a crucial role in providing producers and policymakers with essential data to guide short-term decision-making and long-term strategic planning. In fact, the department of agriculture and biosecurity has a statutory duty, and a contractual obligation with the United States Department of Agriculture, to ensure robust data collection and reporting across the State. However, the department has experienced several shortcomings in the agricultural statistics program, including limited access to accurate and timely agricultural data and outdated collection, analysis, and dissemination of agricultural statistics, which results in limited insights into data that are critical to the movement of agricultural goods into and within the State. Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service personnel count has been reduced by thirty per cent since January 2025, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service recently announced that surveys will focus on collecting mandatory, core, national-level data, increasing the urgency to for the State to ramp up its ability to accurately map the State's agricultural commodities.
The legislature additionally finds that the department of agriculture and biosecurity's agricultural statistics program is critical to understanding the State's existing agricultural resources, including locally-grown agricultural products. Without the ability to accurately map the State's agricultural commodities, the State will be unable to meet the purchasing goals established by the Farm to School Act (Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021) and Farm to State Act (Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021).
The legislature further finds that in 2024, the department of agriculture and biosecurity launched a statewide process to address key economic challenges facing the agricultural sector and developed short‑term actions and a long-term strategy aimed at addressing the shortcomings of its statistics program and other goals, such as boosting local product availability and expanding market capacity. The objectives of the long-term strategy are to:
(1) Collect, analyze, and report data and trends on the intra- and inter-island production, distribution, and sale of select agricultural products;
(2) Provide producers with the information needed to make informed decisions about planning, scaling operations, and exploring new growth or market opportunities;
(3) Provide other decision makers with key analyses of production and production opportunities, trends, and growth to better allocate public resources to support agriculture and the public; and
(4) Support the strategic growth and development of Hawaii's agricultural sector by enhancing the statistics program's data collection, analysis, and reporting capabilities.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to revitalize and enhance the department of agriculture and biosecurity's agricultural statistics program by statutorily establishing an agricultural statistics program and appropriating funds for the program.
SECTION 2. Chapter 148, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"Part . Agricultural statistics
§148- Definitions. For the purposes of this part, "tropical fruit" includes but is not limited to nuts, herbs, spices, kalo, taro, or any other fruit or nut identified as a tropical fruit by the United States Department of Agriculture.
§148- Agricultural statistics program. The department of agriculture and biosecurity shall:
(1) Collect data, provide analysis, and report on the intra- and inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products;
(2) Develop and maintain electronic systems for capturing and analyzing data on the intra- and inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products; and
(3) Establish a structured rotation schedule for expanded, consistent, sector-specific surveys to collect comprehensive data on key agricultural activities, including:
(A) Agricultural theft;
(B) Agricultural tourism;
(C) Aquaculture;
(D) Coffee;
(E) Crop and livestock losses;
(F) Farm technology;
(G) Horticulture and nursery;
(H) Livestock numbers and productivity;
(I) Producer expansion;
(J) Seed;
(K) Tropical fruits;
(L) Vegetables and melons; and
(M) Other surveys as may be determined necessary.
§148- Exemption. Data and information collected by the department for the purposes of this part or collected, compiled, and stored in the agricultural statistics program shall be confidential and shall not be subject to discovery or to disclosure under chapter 92F; provided that nothing in this section shall preclude disclosure of the information in a statistical or aggregate form that does not allow the identification of an individual person or entity. The State shall not be liable for any dissemination of information collected, compiled, or stored for use in the agricultural statistics program.
§148- Collaboration; partnerships. The department of agriculture and biosecurity may:
(1) Collaborate with national and local entities, including the following, to enhance data collection, analyses, and reporting efforts:
(A) The United States Department of Agriculture;
(B) The United States National Agricultural Statistics Service;
(C) The United States Agricultural Marketing Service;
(D) The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics;
(E) The University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience;
(F) The University of Hawaii economic research organization; and
(G) Other state agencies as needed; and
(2) Establish partnerships with local producers, transportation companies, aggregators, and distributors to facilitate the electronic capture of and access to other data sets."
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 2026-2027 for the following purposes:
(1) $ for the establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) agricultural economist positions;
(2) $ for the establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) research statistician positions;
(3) $ for the establishment of secured office space, equipment, the development of electronic data collection systems, and program expenses for six islands; and
(4) $ for contracted specialty surveys to be conducted by third-party entities, focusing on critical agricultural data needs.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture and biosecurity for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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|
Report Title:
DOA; Agricultural Statistics Program; Positions; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to revitalize and enhance the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests. 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.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Mar 24, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Mar 24, 2026 | Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3154) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Mar 16, 2026 | The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa. |
| Mar 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 03-16-26 3:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Referred to AEN, WAM. |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 369). |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1027-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Feb 23, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none. |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Monday, 02-23-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lee, M., Poepoe excused (3). |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 328-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Perruso, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Lowen, Quinlan. |
| Feb 6, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Wednesday, 02-11-26 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Referred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 5 |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Pending introduction. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16, 2026 | The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment |
Passed |
|
| Mar 10, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
|
| Feb 23, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
|
| Feb 11, 2026 | The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi | ** Support | |
| Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi (DBA of Oʻahu Resource Conservation and Development Council) | *** Support | Feb 24, 2026 |
| Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| Chamber of Commerce Hawaii | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| Food+ Policy (Food+ Policy internship/team) | *** Support | Feb 24, 2026 |
| Food+ Policy Team | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Farmers Union | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| Hawai‘i Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association | *** Support | Feb 24, 2026 |
| Hawai‘i Cattlemen’s Council | *** Support | Feb 24, 2026 |
| Hawai‘i Farm Bureau | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| Hawai‘i Food Manufacturers Association | *** Support | Feb 24, 2026 |
| Kohala Center | *** Support | Feb 24, 2026 |
| Land Use Research Foundation of Hawai‘i | *** Support | Feb 24, 2026 |
| Local Food Coalition | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| Maui Chamber of Commerce | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| Maui County Farm Bureau | *** Support | Mar 16, 2026 |
| Maui Farm to School Network (Maui F2SN) | *** Support | Feb 24, 2026 |
| United Hawai‘i Food Industry Association | *** Support | Feb 24, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1027-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 2155
H.D. 2
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2155, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Statutorily establish the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests; and
(2) Appropriate funds for various positions, program expenses, and contracted surveys.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Agriculture Stewardship Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Local Food Coalition; Hawaiʻi Floriculture and Nursery Association; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and one individual.
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 Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2155, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2155, H.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,
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____________________________ CHRIS TODD, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 328-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 2155
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2155 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Local Food Coalition; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.
Your Committee finds that reliable, accurate, and timely agricultural data is essential to making informed decisions and the long-term success of Hawaii's farmers and ranchers. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity's existing Agricultural Statistics Program plays an important role in providing producers and policymakers with agricultural data.
Your Committee notes that, due to limited staffing, agricultural statistics and analysis provided by the Agricultural Statistics Program have not been as robust and comprehensive as originally intended. Recent downsizing of staff at the United States National Agricultural Statistics Service has further exacerbated the level of services provided. Your Committee believes that statutorily establishing and providing funds for the Agricultural Statistics Program will revitalize and enhance the Program, thereby ensuring that the Program will continue to provide accurate agricultural data that will support the growth of Hawaii's agricultural sector.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) 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 Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2155, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2155, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ CORY CHUN, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 16, 2026 | HB2155_HD2_TESTIMONY_AEN_03-16-26_.PDF |
| Feb 24, 2026 | HB2155_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_02-23-26_.PDF |
| Feb 11, 2026 | HB2155_TESTIMONY_AGR_02-11-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
2MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment
30SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment
7MIN
House Standing Committee on Finance
30SEC
House Standing Committee on Finance
4MIN
House Standing Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems
16SEC
House Standing Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
