SB 865: ADC; UH; CTAHR; Coffee and Orchard Crops Extension and Applied Research Program; Kona Research Station; Position; Establishment; Extension Agent; Kona Cooperative Extension; Appropriations

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

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

     SECTION 1.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $76,500 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 to:

     (1)  Support the coffee and orchard crops extension and applied research program;

     (2)  Support the Kona research station in the county of Hawaii; and

     (3)  Fund the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent extension agent position within the university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience's Kona cooperative extension.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

ADC; UH; CTAHR; Coffee and Orchard Crops Extension and Applied Research Program; Kona Research Station; Position; Establishment; Extension Agent; Kona Cooperative Extension; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to support the Coffee and Orchard Crops Extension and Applied Research Program and Kona Research Station in the County of Hawaii, and to fund the establishment of one permanent Extension Agent position within the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Kona Cooperative Extension.  (CD1)

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.  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      full-time equivalent (     FTE) permanent extension agent position within the university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience's Kona cooperative extension to support the coffee and orchard crops extension and applied research program and the Kona research station in the county of Hawaii.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

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

Report Title:

UH; CTAHR; Position; Establishment; Kona Cooperative Extension; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to establish a permanent extension agent position within the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Kona Cooperative Extension.  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.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

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

     SECTION 1.  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 one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent extension agent position within the university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience's Kona cooperative extension to support the coffee and orchard crops extension and applied research program and the Kona research station in the county of Hawaii.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

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

Report Title:

UH; CTAHR; Position; Establishment; Kona Cooperative Extension; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to establish a permanent extension agent position within the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Kona Cooperative Extension.  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 AGRICULTURE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that establishing a permanent educational support associate position placed within the university of Hawaiʻi college of tropical agriculture and human resilience (CTAHR) is needed to successfully implement the following goals of the college's cooperative extension program:

     (1)  Providing non-formal science-based education;

     (2)  Acting as the outreach component of CTAHR; and

     (3)  Extending practical applications of science to support local food systems, healthy living, youth development, and the stewardship of natural resources for future generations.

     The legislature further finds that CTAHR's Kona cooperative extension, which houses the Kona research station, provides crucial support for local coffee farmers statewide, who currently face dire threats to their crops from the recently discovered coffee berry borer and from coffee leaf rust.  With a utilized production value of approximately $48.2 million in the 2023 to 2024 season, the coffee industry represents the State's most valuable agricultural commodity according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  Despite this, the coffee industry is currently served statewide by just one CTAHR extension agent.

     The legislature further finds that CTAHR's sole extension agent is currently supported by just one educational support associate position, which has historically been one hundred per cent grant funded.  Due to varying grant provisions, the position is limited to work only within the scope of funded projects and is unable to address the needs and challenges of other industries supported by CTAHR's cooperative extension program.  Additionally, upwards of thirty to forty-seven per cent of current grant funding is dedicated to salary and fringe benefits for project support staff, which reduces funding for educational events, applied research, travel for statewide outreach, equipment, and materials and supplies that could directly benefit local farmers and producers.

     The legislature further finds that establishing a permanent educational support associate position will provide much needed support to extension faculty; enable the prioritization of research and community outreach projects throughout the State; and support the Kona research station, which, among other projects, encompasses eighteen acres of projects related to coffee, including coffee leaf rust and coffee berry borer mitigation.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and fund a permanent educational support associate position, within the university of Hawaiʻi college of tropical agriculture and human resilience's Kona cooperative extension and applied research program, to provide administrative, professional, and technical support to the college's cooperative extension program and Kona research station.

     SECTION 2.  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 one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent educational support associate position within the university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience's Kona cooperative extension to support the coffee and orchard crops extension and applied research program and the Kona research station in the county of Hawaii.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 31, 2050.

Report Title:

UH; CTAHR; Position; Establishment; Kona Cooperative Extension; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to establish a permanent Educational Support Associate position within the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Kona Cooperative Extension.  Effective 7/31/2050.  (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 establishing a permanent educational support associate position placed within the university of Hawaiʻi college of tropical agriculture and human resources (CTAHR) is needed to successfully implement the following goals of the college's cooperative extension program:

     (1)  Providing non-formal science-based education;

     (2)  Acting as the outreach component of CTAHR; and

     (3)  Extending practical applications of science to support local food systems, healthy living, youth development, and the stewardship of natural resources for future generations.

     The legislature further finds that CTAHR's Kona cooperative extension, which houses the Kona research station, provides crucial support for local coffee farmers statewide, who currently face dire threats to their crops from the recently discovered coffee berry borer and from coffee leaf rust.  With a utilized production value of approximately $48.2 million in the 2023 to 2024 season, the coffee industry represents the State's most valuable agricultural commodity according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  Despite this, the coffee industry is currently served statewide by just one CTAHR extension agent.

     The legislature further finds that CTAHR's sole extension agent is currently supported by just one educational support associate position, which has historically been one hundred per cent grant funded.  Due to varying grant provisions, the position is limited to work only within the scope of funded projects and is unable to address the needs and challenges of other industries supported by CTAHR's cooperative extension program.  Additionally, upwards of thirty to forty-seven per cent of current grant funding is dedicated to salary and fringe benefits for project support staff, which reduces funding for educational events, applied research, travel for statewide outreach, equipment, and materials and supplies that could directly benefit local farmers and producers.

     The legislature further finds that establishing a permanent educational support associate position will provide much needed support to extension faculty; enable the prioritization of research and community outreach projects throughout the State; and support the Kona research station, which, among other projects, encompasses eighteen acres of projects related to coffee, including coffee leaf rust and coffee berry borer mitigation.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and fund a permanent educational support associate position, within the university of Hawaiʻi college of tropical agriculture and human resources' Kona cooperative extension and applied research program, to provide administrative, professional, and technical support to the college's cooperative extension program and Kona research station.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $76,570 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 one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent educational support associate position within the university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources' Kona cooperative extension to support the coffee and orchard crops extension and applied research program and the Kona research station in the county of Hawaii.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

UH; CTAHR; Position; Establishment; Kona Cooperative Extension; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to establish a permanent Educational Support Associate position within the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources' Kona Cooperative Extension.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 194

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2025

RE:    S.B. No. 865

       S.D. 1

       H.D. 2

       C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to establish a permanent extension agent position within the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Kona Cooperative Extension.

     Your Committee on Conference finds that the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's (CTAHR) Kona Cooperative Extension has assisted and contributed to the success of the Kona coffee industry and other crops grown in the area.  This measure will support the coffee industry throughout the State by establishing an additional Extension Agent position within CTAHR's Kona Cooperative Extension to provide much needed support to local farmers.

     Your Committee on Conference notes that the Agribusiness Development Corporation possesses the expertise to support growers of coffee and other orchard crops with export potential, including macadamia nuts, cacao, and tea.  Your Committee on Conference also notes that the Agribusiness Development Corporation, in conjunction with CTAHR, will be able to provide coffee growers with the necessary information to increase coffee production and improve the economic viability of growers.

     Accordingly, your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an appropriation amount of $76,500 for both years of the fiscal biennium to be expended by the Agribusiness Development Corporation, rather than the University of Hawaii, to:

          (A)  Support the Coffee and Orchard Crops Extension and Applied Research Program;

          (B)  Support the Kona Research Station in the County of Hawaii; and

          (C)  Fund the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent Extension Agent position within the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Kona Cooperative Extension;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2025; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1976

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.B. No. 865

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to establish a permanent extension agent position within the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Kona Cooperative Extension to support the coffee and orchard crops extension and applied research program and the Kona Research Station in the County of Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Mahilani Partners LLC, dba Hilo Coffee Co.; Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers; Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative; Greenwell Farms Inc.; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Rusty's Hawaiian; Hawaii Coffee Growers Association; Kealia Ranch LLC; Hawaii Coffee Association; Kauai Coffee Company LLC; Nutrien Ag Solutions; Honolulu Coffee Farms; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union; Waimea Coffee Farm LLC; Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council; Kona Coffee Council; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and University of Hawaiʻi System.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the number of positions established to an unspecified number.

     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 S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1278

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.B. No. 865

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a permanent educational support associate position within the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Kona Cooperative Extension and Applied Research Program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa; Island Harvest Inc.; Bea's Knees Farm, LLC; HC Farms LLC; Hawaii Coffee Association; Hawaii Coffee Growers Association; Maui Coffee Association; Kau Coffee Growers Cooperative; Hala Tree LLC; Ahualoa Family Farms; Heavenly Hawaiian Farms; Rusty's Hawaiian; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiian Goodness LLC; Kauai Coffee Company LLC; Mahilani Partners LLC; Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers; South Kona Estate; Food+ Policy; and numerous individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Kona Cooperative Extension, which houses the Kona Research Station, provides crucial support for local coffee farmers statewide, who currently face dire threats to their crops from the recently discovered coffee berry borer and from coffee leaf rust.  Your Committee believes that additional assistance through the establishment of an additional position is needed to help the Kona Cooperative Extension in supporting the coffee industry throughout the State.

     Your Committee notes that the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa stated in its testimony that it would be advantageous to have an extension agent position rather than an administrative, professional, and technical staff position.

     Your Committee has accordingly amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting the preamble;

     (2)  Clarifying that the appropriation is for the establishment of one full-time equivalent permanent extension agent position, rather than an educational support associate position;

     (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 Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 781

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 865

       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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to support local coffee farmers and agricultural activities in the Kona area.

     Specifically, this measure appropriates moneys to establish a permanent educational support associate position within the Kona Cooperative Extension of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Konaloha Farms, Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, Bea's Knees Farm, Hawaii Coffee Growers Association, Heavenly Hawaiian Farms, Rusty's Hawaiian, Kuaiwi Farm, Kau Coffee Growers Cooperative, Island Harvest Inc., Kai Ikena Orchards, Puna Chocolate, Hawaii Coffee Association, Hawaii Food+ Policy, and thirty individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Kona Cooperative Extension houses the Kona Research Station, which provides crucial support for local coffee farmers statewide, including projects relating to coffee leaf rust and coffee berry borer mitigation.  Your Committee further finds that the permanent educational support associate position established by this measure will support this important work and enable the prioritization of research and community outreach projects throughout the State.

     Your Committee notes the testimony of the University of Hawaii, which stated that, instead of establishing an administrative, professional, and technical staff position, it would be more advantageous to establish an extension agent position that focuses on coffee and other orchard crops with export potential such as macadamia nuts, cacao, and tea, to meet the needs of these crop growers in the region and statewide.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 275

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 865

       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 Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 865 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 for the establishment of a permanent Educational Support Associate position within the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Kona Cooperate Extension and Applied Research Program to provide administrative, professional, and technical support to the college's Cooperative Extension Program and Kona Research Station.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi system; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Synergistic Hawaiʻi Agriculture Council; Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association; Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers; Kau Coffee Growers Cooperative; Covfefe Coffee Farm LLC; Waimea Coffee Farm LLC; Bea's Knees Farm LLC; Kauai Coffee Company LLC; Hawaii Coffee Growers Association; Kealia Ranch; Konaloha Farms; Giggle Hill Coffee; and fifteen individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's (CTAHR) Cooperative Extension Program seeks to provide non-formal science‑based education; act as the outreach component of CTAHR; extend practical applications of science to support local food systems, healthy living, youth development; and the stewardship of natural resources for future generations.  Your Committee further finds that CTAHR's Kona Cooperative Extension, which houses the Kona Research Station, provides crucial support for local coffee farmers, who currently face dire threats from coffee leaf rust and the recently discovered coffee berry borer.  Your Committee notes that the Kona Research Station encompasses eighteen acres of projects related to coffee, including coffee leaf rust and coffee berry borer mitigation.  Your Committee also finds that although the coffee industry represents the State's most valuable agricultural commodity, only one CTAHR extension agent serves the industry statewide.  This measure establishes a permanent Educational Support Associate position within CTAHR's Kona Cooperative Extension, to provide much needed support to faculty and local farmers.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the name of CTAHR from the College of Agriculture and Human Resources to College of Agriculture and Human Resilience, to reflect its recent name change;

     (2)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

     (3)  Inserting an effective date of July 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     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 $76,750 for the establishment of a permanent Educational Support Associate position within the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Kona Cooperative Extension.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 865, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 865, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,