HB 2572: DAB; Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program; Report; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SUBSISTENCE GARDENING.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established within the department of agriculture and biosecurity a three-year subsistence-plus gardening pilot program.

     (b)  The pilot program shall:

     (1)  Identify underutilized small plots of land, no more than two acres, suitable for gardening based on soil, terrain, and water availability;

     (2)  Invite small community-based farm clubs, which have demonstrated participation and momentum in their respective communities, to participate in the pilot program for the purposes of planting, growing, and harvesting priority crops, including Hawaiian canoe crops, to improve food security and food sovereignty in the State;

     (3)  Make the identified lands available to participating small community-based farm clubs; and

     (4)  Provide support for community food production hubs.

     SECTION 2.  The department of agriculture and biosecurity shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, concerning the subsistence-plus gardening pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2029.

     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 a subsistence-plus gardening pilot program.

     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; Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program; Report; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity a three-year Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  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 subsistence gardening.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established within the department of agriculture and biosecurity a three-year subsistence-plus gardening pilot program.

     (b)  The program shall:

     (1)  Identify underutilized small plots of land, not more than two acres, suitable for gardening based on soil, terrain, and water availability;

     (2)  Invite small community-based farm clubs, which have demonstrated participation and momentum in their respective communities, to participate in the program for the purposes of planting, growing, and harvesting priority crops, including Hawaiian canoe crops to improve food security and food sovereignty in the State;

     (3)  Make the identified lands available to participating small community-based farm clubs; and

     (4)  Provide support for community food production hubs.

     SECTION 2.  The department of agriculture and biosecurity shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, concerning the subsistence-plus gardening pilot program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2029.

     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 a subsistence-plus gardening pilot program.

     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.

Report Title:

DAB; Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program; Reports; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity a temporary Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  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.  595-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2572

      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. 2572 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUBSISTENCE GARDENING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a three-year Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and numerous individuals.

     Your Committee finds that increasing community participation in food production strengthens the State's overall food resilience.  Small-scale gardening initiatives, particularly those focused on priority and cultural crops, can help reconnect residents with agriculture, improve food awareness, and encourage local food production at the household and community level.  Your Committee further finds that the establishment of a Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program will enable the State to explore practical options to improve grassroots food production while evaluating the Pilot Program's long-term viability and impact.

     Your Committee has amended this measure:

     (1)  By 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. 2572, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2572, 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,