SB 2318: Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Agricultural Statistics Program; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2026-02-10
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-02-11: 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
Codifies the Agricultural Statistics Program in statute. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Establishes the Agricultural Statistics Program in statute. Appropriates funds.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2318 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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 also 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in the agricultural statistics program, including limited access to accurate and timely agricultural data and outdated collection, analysis, and dissemination of agricultural statistics, which results in limited insights to data that is critical to the movement of agricultural goods into and within the State.
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 inter-island production, distribution, and sale of select agricultural products;
(2) Provide producers with the information needed to make informed decisions about planting, scaling operations, and exploring new growth or market opportunities;
(3) Provide other decisionmakers 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- Agricultural statistics program. The department of agriculture and biosecurity shall:
(1) Collect data, provide analysis, and report on the inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products;
(2) Develop and maintain electronic systems for capturing and analyzing data on the 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) Crop and livestock losses;
(E) Farm technology;
(F) Horticulture and nursery;
(G) Livestock numbers and productivity;
(H) Producer expansion;
(I) Seed;
(J) Tropical fruits;
(K) Vegetables and melons; and
(L) Other surveys as may be determined necessary.
§148- Exemption. Data and information collected by the department of agriculture and biosecurity 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 the disclosure of the information in a statistical or aggregate form that does not allow the identification of an individual or entity. Unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution of data shall be strictly prohibited. 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) United States Department of Agriculture;
(B) United States National Agricultural Statistics Service;
(C) United States Agricultural Marketing Service;
(D) United States Bureau of Labor Statistics;
(E) University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience;
(F) 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:
(1) $ for the establishment of two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) agricultural economist positions;
(2) $ for the establishment of four full-time equivalent (4.0 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 within the State; 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:
Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Agricultural Statistics Program; Appropriation
Description:
Codifies the Agricultural Statistics Program in statute. 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.
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2318 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
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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 also 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 to data that is critical to the movement of agricultural goods into and within the State.
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 inter-island production, distribution, and sale of select agricultural products;
(2) Provide producers with the information needed to make informed decisions about planting, scaling operations, and exploring new growth or market opportunities;
(3) Provide other decisionmakers 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- Agricultural statistics program. The department of agriculture and biosecurity shall:
(1) Collect data, provide analysis, and report on the inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products;
(2) Develop and maintain electronic systems for capturing and analyzing data on the 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) Crop and livestock losses;
(E) Farm technology;
(F) Horticulture and nursery;
(G) Livestock numbers and productivity;
(H) Producer expansion;
(I) Seed;
(J) Tropical fruits;
(K) Vegetables and melons; and
(L) Other surveys as may be determined necessary.
§148- Exemption. Data and information collected by the department of agriculture and biosecurity 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 the disclosure of the information in a statistical or aggregate form that does not allow the identification of an individual or entity. Unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution of data shall be strictly prohibited. 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) United States Department of Agriculture;
(B) United States National Agricultural Statistics Service;
(C) United States Agricultural Marketing Service;
(D) United States Bureau of Labor Statistics;
(E) University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience;
(F) 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:
(1) $ for the establishment of two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) agricultural economist positions;
(2) $ for the establishment of four full-time equivalent (4.0 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 within the State; 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.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Agricultural Statistics Program; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the Agricultural Statistics Program in statute. 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.
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Date
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Status
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| Feb 11, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2181) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 4, 2026 | The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Referred to AEN, WAM. |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Introduced and passed First Reading. |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Pending Introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Feb 4, 2026 | The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment |
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.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity | ** Support | |
| Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity | *** Support | Feb 4, 2026 |
| Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaiʻi | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United | ** Support | |
| Hawai‘i Farm Bureau | *** Support | Feb 4, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2181
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2318
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2318 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to:
(1) Codify the Agricultural Statistics Program in statute; and
(2) Appropriate funds.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and one individual.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.
Your Committee finds that agricultural statistics and analyses are a fundamental function of departments of agriculture nationwide and are necessary for agricultural producers and policymakers to make informed short- and long-term economic decisions with respect to the State's agricultural sector. Your Committee also finds, however, that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity has been unable to effectively fulfill this function due to limited staffing. This measure will enhance and revitalize the Agricultural Statistics Program and appropriate funds for additional staffing to develop and support a robust and resilient agricultural sector in the State.
Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2318, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2318, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,
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________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Feb 4, 2026 | SB2318_TESTIMONY_AEN_02-04-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
2MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
