HB 2573: DAB; LCC; DHRD; DLE; Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program; Report

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established within the department of agriculture and biosecurity, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii's Leeward community college, department of human resources development, and department of law enforcement, a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program to equip interested students with the necessary entry-level knowledge, skill set, expertise, and advancement potential in the field of agriculture and biosecurity.

     (b)  The agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program shall:

     (1)  Develop a curriculum of a broad spectrum of topics relevant to agriculture and biosecurity;

     (2)  Provide practical, hands-on training and work opportunities that allow students to gain real-world experience in the agriculture and biosecurity sector; provided that the training and provision of work opportunities shall not interfere with the existing operations of the department of agriculture and biosecurity; and

     (3)  Encourage additional training and credential attainment by offering increased compensation, as determined by the department of human resources development, to participants who transition into biosecurity employment.

     (c)  The department of agriculture and biosecurity, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii's Leeward community college, department of human resources development, and department of law enforcement, shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations on the agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2031.

     (d)  The agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2031.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DAB; LCC; DHRD; DLE; Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program; Report

Description:

Establishes a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College, Department of Human Resources Development, and Department of Law Enforcement.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  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 workforce development.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established within the department of agriculture and biosecurity, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii's Leeward community college and the department of human resources development, a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program to equip interested students with the necessary entry-level knowledge, skill set, expertise, and advancement potential in the field of agriculture and biosecurity.

     (b)  The agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program shall:

     (1)  Develop a curriculum of a broad spectrum of topics relevant to agriculture and biosecurity;

     (2)  Provide practical, hands-on training and work opportunities that allow students to gain real-world experience in the agriculture and biosecurity sector; provided that the training and provision of work opportunities shall not interfere with the existing operations of the department of agriculture and biosecurity; and

     (3)  Encourage additional training and credential attainment by offering increased compensation to participants who transition into biosecurity employment.

     (c)  The department of agriculture and biosecurity, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii's Leeward community college and the department of human resources development, shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations on the agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2031.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on June 30, 2031.

Report Title:

DAB; LCC; DHRD; Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program; Report

Description:

Establishes a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College and the Department of Human Resources Development.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  Sunsets 6/30/2031.

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.  40-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2573

      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. 2573 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College and Department of Human Resources Development, to establish a five-year Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program to equip interested students with the necessary entry-level knowledge, skill set, expertise, and advancement potential in the field of agriculture and biosecurity.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Department of Law Enforcement; University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Resources Development.

     Your Committee finds that the establishment of the Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program will advance a practical and outcomes-driven approach to strengthening Hawaii's workforce capacity in agriculture and biosecurity, areas that are essential to the State's resilience, food security, and public health.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the offering of increased compensation to participants of the Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program who transition into biosecurity employment shall be determined by the Department of Human Resources Development;

     (2)  Requiring the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to collaborate with the Department of Law Enforcement in establishing the Pilot Program and reporting to the Legislature on the Pilot Program;

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

     (4)  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. 2573, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2573, 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,