SB 506: 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 over the past four decades, the value of all agricultural products in the State has been in decline.  Investing in the State's agricultural data and statistics gathering system is a necessary and critical component to the revitalization and future of Hawaii's agricultural sector.

     The legislature further finds that utilizing modern data and statistics gathering methodologies can promote access to high-quality data, which can then be used to help empower policymakers and agricultural stakeholders in making informed decisions and supporting sustainable farming practices.  Improving the technical, data-gathering component of the department of agriculture is necessary to provide the State and its farmers with the ability to track and anticipate patterns of agricultural activity, guide land use practices, support commodity investment and agricultural resource development, and inform future infrastructure investments.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of agriculture to conduct a study of agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers and to establish positions to conduct and collect relevant agricultural data for public consumption.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of agriculture shall conduct a study on agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers, which shall include strategies and actions that support agriculture and a robust agricultural sector in the State.

     (b)  The department of agriculture shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026.

     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 for a one-year study of agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  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 for the establishment of:

     (1)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) data scientist, statistician, or market analyst position to conduct data analysis; and

     (2)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) field researcher position to collect relevant agricultural data for the agricultural statistics services to build an agricultural data dashboard for public consumption.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

DOA; Agricultural Markets Study; Agricultural Statistics Services; Positions; Report; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct a study on agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers.  Appropriates funds for the one-year study on agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers.  Establishes and funds two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions to collect agricultural data and conduct data analysis for public consumption.  Requires a report to the Legislature.  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.

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 over the past four decades, the value of all agricultural products in the State has been in decline.  Investing in the State's agricultural data and statistics gathering system is a necessary and critical component to the revitalization and future of Hawaii's agricultural sector.

     The legislature further finds that utilizing modern data and statistics gathering methodologies can promote access to high-quality data, which can then be used to help empower policymakers and agricultural stakeholders in making informed decisions and supporting sustainable farming practices.  Improving the technical, data-gathering component of the department of agriculture is necessary to provide the State and its farmers with the ability to track and anticipate patterns of agricultural activity, guide land use practices, support commodity investment and agricultural resource development, and inform future infrastructure investments. 

     Accordingly, the purpose of the Act is to appropriate funds to the department of agriculture to conduct a study of agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers and to establish positions to conduct and collect relevant agricultural data for public consumption.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of agriculture shall conduct a study on agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers, which shall include strategies and actions that support agriculture and a robust agricultural sector in the State.

     (b)  The department of agriculture shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 for a one year study of agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  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 for the establishment of:

     (1)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position data scientist, statistician, or market analyst to conduct data analysis; and

     (2)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position field researcher to collect relevant agricultural data for the agricultural statistics services to build an agricultural data dashboard for public consumption.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DOA; Agricultural Markets Study; Agricultural Statistics Services; Positions; Report; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct a study on agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers.  Appropriates funds for the one year study on agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers.  Establishes and funds two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions to collect agricultural data and conduct data analysis for public consumption.  Requires a report to the Legislature.

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. 41

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 506

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 506 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture to:

     (1)  Conduct a one-year study of agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers and submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2026; and

     (2)  Establish two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions to collect relevant agricultural data and conduct data analysis for public consumption.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that accurate and timely agricultural data is essential for the diversification and growth of Hawaii's agricultural sector.  A study of agricultural markets for local farmers as proposed in this measure will provide valuable insights into consumer demand, market opportunities, and supply chain inefficiencies, helping farmers and ranchers make informed, evidence-based decisions to optimize their business strategies.  According to testimony received by your Committee, the staff positions established and funded in this measure will strengthen the Department of Agriculture's ability to collect, compile, and analyze data, thereby enabling policymakers and stakeholders to track statewide progress towards key local food systems goals and direct public resources to support the agricultural sector more efficiently.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation for the one-year study to an unspecified amount;

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     Your Committee notes that this measure, as amended, contains an unspecified appropriation amount.  Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $200,000 for the one-year study.

     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. 506, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 506, 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,