House Standing Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems

Good morning. I'd like to call the committee on agriculture and food systems. This is our Friday, 03/20/2026 hearing. And the state capital in Room 325. This is our ninth agenda.

Just wanna go over some housekeeping before we get started. So because morning hearings must adjourn prior to floor session, not all testifiers may have the opportunity to testify. In that event, please know that your written testimony may be considered by the committee. In order to allow as many people to testify as possible, there will be a two minute time limit per testifier. If it goes on Zoom, please keep yourself muted and your video off while waiting to testify and after your testimony is complete.

The Zoom chat function will allow you to chat with the technical staff only. Please use the chat only for technical issues. If you are disconnected unexpectedly, you may attempt to rejoin the meeting. If disconnected while presenting testimony, you may be allowed to continue if time permits. Please note the house is not responsible for any bad Internet connections on the testifier.

In the event of a network failure, it may be necessary to reschedule the hearing or schedule a meeting for decision making. In that case, inappropriate notice will be posted. Please avoid using any using any trademarked or copyrighted images if you are using a Zoom background. And just please refrain from any profanity or unsung behavior. Just, you know, thank you.

That'd be nice. Probably it's it's Friday every year. So with that, let's get started on our agenda. So first up, we have Senate bill 2319 SD one relating to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. This measure appropriates funds for one full time equivalent grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and converts the position from temporary to permanent.

First up, we have to testify is Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

So, chair, vice chair, Riley Yu from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Next, we have Yong Oh, Local Food Coalition in support. Next, we have Lauren Zerbaugh by Food Industry Association on Zoom.

Good morning, chair, vice chair. I'm Alexis Chapman for Hawaii Food Industry Association. We're in strong support of this measure. This position has already delivered tremendous ROI with the grants that they've been able to achieve, and this is one of our top priorities for this year. We strongly encourage you to pass, and I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Thank you.

Alright. Thank you. Yes. We have Hunter Hevlin, a former zillion on Zoom.

Thank you, chair, vice chair Hunter Heflin on behalf of Hawaii Farmers Union with sound on our written testimony. We're in strong support of this measure.

Thank you. Next, we have Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Good morning, chair and vice chair. Brian Miyamoto, Yamagata. The Hawaii Farm Bureau was down on a written testimony in support.

Thank you. Next, we have Micah Munifata, Ulupono Initiative.

Good morning, Chair Chan, Vice Chair Cush. Ulupono will stand on its testimony in strong support of this measure, and thank you for keeping it alive and moving it through. We appreciate the discussion, and we're crossing our fingers that we can get this one through the finish line this session. So thank you so much for hearing it.

Yes. We have council Nicole Galase on Zoom.

Thank you, chair, vice chair. My name is Nicole Galase. I'm testifying on behalf of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council. We are in support of this bill because federal funding is onerous to seek out and apply for, but we do need to ensure that Hawaii is taking advantage of what's available. And this position will help our agricultural sector with a larger turn on a very small investment. Mahalo.

Thank you.

You also re received testimony and support from Lord Short EVP, YGAP Group, and one individual who can support. Is there not anyone else wishing to testify on this measure or send her on Zoom? Seeing none. Any question?

Are we all singing in the same choir? No. Thank you, chair.

Thanks. Okay. Let's move on to the next measure. So we have next up, Senate Bill 2407 SD 2 relating to agricultural land. Establishes and appropriates monies for one full time equivalent Hawaii Island property manager position within the aggregate business development corporation.

First up, to testify, we have Hunter Heaivilin, Hawaii Farmers Union. Zoom.

Thank you, chair, vice chair. Hawaii Farmers Union stands on its written testimony.

It's a

lot going on today.

Understand. Yeah. Oh.

Thanks. Next, we have a brand new about Hawaii Farm Bureau. And the Hawaii Farm

Bureau is just a little bit more.

Thank you. We also received testimony in support from Hawaii Food Plus Policy and one individual. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on this matter in person or on Zoom?

Good morning, chair, vice chair. Wendy Gady testifying in individual support because we have a lot going on and haven't gotten all the appropriate approvals yet, but strong support.

Not switching to test finance measure? I'm seeing none. I have a question for EDC.

Well, Wendy.

Wendy? Okay. Sorry. Okay, Wendy. Just just really briefly, what's what is the purpose of the position for Hawaii Island?

So we currently have a ABC currently has a two acre parcel in the Shipman Industrial Park that, we're trying to scale up for cold and frozen storage capacity. And having an on-site on island, position allows us to engage with the community at a greater detail. We appreciate ADC appreciates that last year, there was $350,000 appropriated for doing concept development for the Food and Product Innovation Network.

So it allows us to really have somebody integrate with the community, understand the community's concerns and needs, and for us to plan for ADC to plan appropriately.

Okay. Thank you.

Same. Anybody who works for ADC.

Okay.

So as I understand it, you own this ADC owns this two acre parcel, and you have not secured ADC has not secured cold storage yet, but that's the plan to is that in AADC's budget? Or

So AADC applied for a community development, spending, grant last year that is still kind of winding its way through, and we have also well, ADC also applied again this year for, some grants to possibly do that. And the cost for the units are about $90,000 per, like, modular unit with the the idea that we could showcase there is a great need to have the cold and frozen storage to support the food mandates, you know, in a catastrophic situation to also support the food basket.

And these are modular so that when the need is shown that there really is a need for cold and frozen storage capacity, perhaps at some future date, there could be a facility built, and then the modular units could move to another part on on the big island to test the market to see if there's, you know, a need for that community.

Gotcha. And, originally, this bill had a a koala, purchase, but that's been, excluded at this point, you know, amended out. Can you kind of describe what would happen if we have that position is granted and then I mean, how certain how firm do you feel like the grant is for the cold storage unit? That's a federal grant?

That's a federal grant, so it would take a while. And this we don't have a a long track record at ADC of applying for federal grants, so this is, like, the second year that we've done that. And so I would hesitate to give any percentage of what that might look like.

Thank you.

No. Got it. Alright.

So let's move on to the next measure. Next up, we have Senate Bill 2489 SD 1 relating to invasive species. Requires each lease that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity enters into, reuse or extends to include provisions stating that the department may enter the lease premises, order or otherwise require the lessee to maintain control of any invasive species on the lease premises, and to re-terminate the lease for refusal or violation. First up, to testify, we have DLNR Patrick Chee.

Aloha Chair, Vice Chair. We support this bill oh, sorry. Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaiian Basement Research Council. This would, of course, increase the authority that the Department of Ag has over leased lands. And but, I mean, we already note that the Department of Ag has the right to enter onto any properties if there should be invasive species, but this would definitely increase that ability to do so.

Thank you.

Next we have the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Comments?

DAB stands on it's written testimony for the comments.

Next we have Stephanie Easley, coordinating group on alien pest species.

Good morning, Chair, Vice Chair. Committee members may be watching online. My name is Stephanie Easley with the coordinating group on alien pest species. Thank you for allowing me to testify today, and thank you for hearing this bill. CGAPS is in support of this bill.

We know I've had the opportunity to read DAB's testimony, and they raised some really good points. But I just to kinda put those points in context: while they have had specific language to allow access to leases since 2022, at different times through the years, they've had different language. And in the future, it could be other different language.

And when it's time, when there is an invasive species found on a property, to make that matrix to go to a different division and try to figure out which provisions apply can be time-consuming and often doesn't happen. So, just having this in statute, their current language is not an administrative rule or anything.

It's just their current policy, which could change. Secondly, with respect to inconsistency with requiring notice and access at any time, it would be access at any time after notice. So it does provide a provision for notice and then access anytime. So I don't really see that as a conflict. And then finally, with respect to the definition of invasive species, it does require on lines fifteen and sixteen of page three that the invasive species be in violation of Chapter 150 A or the rules.

So a sugarcane or a plant that is doesn't require a permit to be present in the state is not a violation of those rules. So that definition would expand beyond just the pests to something that is unknown, but it would have to be in violation of the rules. And finally, we note that this you know, these provisions would be carried out by DAB, and DAB has an excellent and long history of supporting its lessees.

They're not gonna try to put extra work on people or do something that's unnecessary. This would be in a for a serious situation, a serious tool available for them.

Thank you very much.

Thank you. Next, we have Nicole Galase, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, on Zoom.

Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair. My name is Nicole Galase testifying on behalf of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council. We respectfully oppose this bill. I appreciate hearing from the previous testifier, some of the issues addressed. But while we appreciate the attention on addressing invasive species, we do have concerns about this bill as it's written because it puts a responsibility and the penalties onto the leaseholder.

Even if the invasive species were on the property prior to their management, which is often the case. Other times, invasive species can often encroach from neighboring properties, and the penalties that are in place may deter agriculture producers from continuing their operations even when it's part of their plan to address invasive species to the best of their ability. Thank you for the chance to testify in this bill.

Thank you. Next, we have Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair Brian Miyamoto, on behalf of the Hawaii Farm Bureau. We'll stand on our written testimony providing comments.

So we received comments from Hawaii Food Plus policy and testimony and support from the Oahu species committee. Is there anyone else here wishing to testify on this measure? Seeing none. Question?

Nope.

Okay. I don't have any questions. So let's move on to the next measure. Next up, we have Senate Bill 2153 s t two relating to agriculture. This measure requires the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop and adopt a multi tiered matrix based assessment framework to develop definitions for the terms bonafide farmer and bonafide agricultural activity to be codified into the Hawaii revised statutes.

Requires the board to collaborate with stakeholders to draft the terms bonafide farmer and bonafide agricultural activity. Requires a report to the legislature. First up, to testify, we have, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

That stands on its written testimony with comments.

Thank you. Next, we have office of Hawaiian affairs.

Aloha, kakahiaka. Inilo Mo Berlin with the office of Hawaiian affairs. OHA stands on our written testimony in support of SB 2153. OHA strongly supports the recognition of subsistence, cultural, and community based agricultural production as legitimate and bona fide agricultural activities. And as the definitions of bona fide farmer and bona fide agricultural activity are developed, meaningful consultation with native plant farmers, cultural practitioners, homestead communities, and subsistence producers will be essential to ensure that any adopted definitions are culturally informed and equitable.

Additionally, OHA is concerned that the proposed requirements may prove onerous for small scale farmers.

Thank you. Next, we have Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Aloha, chair, vice chair. Rodney Amoda here on behalf of Hawaii Farm Bureau. You have our written testimonies, important intent. We we absolutely support this. So we've been trying to define bonafide agriculture, bonafide farming, bonafide farming production, whatever you say.

I think it's critical more so now as demonstrated by these, the. We're gonna need resources. So I need so many so much resources out there. So to have a a a process to truly identify those qualified farms, which includes subsistence farmers and and where to allocate those resources, especially if it's public funds.

I think qualified farming, our position has always been we wanna make sure that the policies that are set forth by this legislative body and by the the federal government and counties are directed to those that that you intended to be.

Again, farming is a wide scope, wide range. We wanna make sure that those that should be included are included, but not allow those who truly aren't farming to take advantage of the policies, especially when it comes to public resources and public funds. So, again, we're in support. We like the tiered system. We do, emphasize again along with Farmers Union, take a look at what Guam is doing with their registration program.

And and if that's part of the discussion, we'd like that to be part of the discussion. We understand also Vermont, but I think both Farmer and Farmers Union can agree that the registration system, although maybe a little bit more burdensome towards our farmers and ranchers, may, provide the outcomes that we'd like to see that this bill is trying to address. Thank you for

the opportunity to testify. Next, we have Nicole Galassi, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council on Zoom.

Thank you, chair, vice chair. Nicole Galassi on behalf of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council. We'll stand on our written testimony in support. Mahalo.

Thank you. We also received testimony in support from two individuals. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on this measure in person on Zoom? Seeing none.

I believe that Hunter oh, there you go.

Thank you. Sorry. I I apologize. My, already to be tardy testimony was overcome by events this morning. Farmers union offers a number of comments that you've very recently received.

Echoing the the sentiments of Brian and the farm bureau, I I think this is a really critical measure and I think is a distinct opportunity for the state to define not just how it regulates agricultural activity, but how it can ensure that it is readily distributing the benefits of active agricultural production that are under its jurisdiction, whether that be, you know, grant access, participation in state procurement, water rate pricing, maybe even a sitting in the assessment of agricultural tax dedications at the county level.

As currently written, the tiers conflate a few things. So tier two, for example, states small scale and diversified as one thing. There are large diversified farm operations. At the upper tiers, I believe that we need more meaningful standards.

Currently, it states actively used without much of a definition for larger farm operations.

The approach utilized in the common agricultural policy in the EU, if viewed in a certain light, I think takes an a regulatory perspective that seeks to support smallholders and and through some, you know, grant means for midsize operations tends to aid in their economic development and expansion and uses its regulatory power to ensure that there are not, deleterious effects of scale, whether they be environmental or economic that come from larger farm operations and holdings.

A similar approach here, I think, will help build the agricultural sector, but to do so effectively, we need to ensure that there is broad stakeholder outreach and I believe a a regulatory assessment to determine what these terms once defined will actually impact. And hopefully, we'd love to see this move forward. I think a voluntary mechanism of allowing people to register and participate as we roll it out is is a good way to consider.

And as Brian mentioned, the opportunities to learn from Guam, Vermont, and numerous other states that already have something similar in place are are very much worth pursuing. Mahalo for the opportunity to testify. Happy to answer any questions.

Alright.

Thank you. Is there anyone else who wishes to testify this measure?

Question. I have one. Okay. Maybe Hunter. Are you still there?

Yep.

Thank you. So whenever I feel like in my short tenure here, I always feel a little nervous about anytime you write into law of specific types of farming at the exclusion of new technologies, different kind of farming, things that fall outside of our, like, picture in our minds of what farming is.

And I feel like and and a little bit of it leaning towards OHA's testimony that there's a lot of different flavors out there and that putting something in statute might inadvertently exclude or ostracize a farm operation. Yeah. Can you comment on that, Paul?

Am I am I chasing up the road here?

Extensive opinions on this. So I think the Guam model the Guam model afford. I'll I'll attempt to summarize. The coffee hasn't kicked in yet. The Guam model doesn't use an economic threshold.

It use an act uses an activity threshold for participation. I think that's something that is would be very useful for the state to consider. Often, the complexity that many counties have already attempted to unpack or or delve into relate to the state, I believe, having an onus to support subsistence and cultural practitioners. Or, well, subsistence act subsistence producers who are following cultural practice, we could say. Right?

Histories of dispossessed dispossession, deterritorialization, colonialization, etcetera. The state has a duty to the native Hawaiian population to support those production goals that they may have, in pursuing cultural perpetuation. The same doesn't necessarily get extended to Molliheenie pursuing their back to the land dream. And some counties have already tried to explore how we might want to parse between those. So there's a it gets it's thorny.

Right? And so I think some protracted thinking as opposed to here's the box, check which one you fit into as currently proposed is is really necessary. And for the myriad reasons in my written testimony, you probably haven't had a chance to read yet. You know, I think there are a number of ways that we can make this something that is enticing to participate in. I can say talking with my membership, not too many have, raised their hand in excitement about a new registration with the state.

However, if it makes other processes easier, and I think that's where maybe some of the voluntary and and approaches are worth exploring. I think we can find this to be a very effective tool for delivering benefits and ensuring that we're not having sort of a free rider, whether they're smallholders, you know, gentlemen estates, or large land banking.

Thank you. Thanks.

Let's move on to the next measure. So next up, we have Senate Bill 2321, SD 1, relating to the two line spittlebug. This measure establishes a two year two line spittlebug response pilot program to mitigate and control the spread of the two line spittlebug. Requires reports to the legislature and appropriates funds. First up to testify, we have the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Thank you. Next we have Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Thank you. Patrick Chee, DLNR.

Aloha. Yes, this bill is an interesting bill where it's one invasive species against another invasive species. But we support this bill in order to fund working on the two line spittlebug because the grasses that it is attacking are actually ones that are preventing worse invasive species from coming in. So in that way, we support the work to try and reduce the amount of two line spittlebug that is going to be out there, and therefore, we support this bill. I'm available for questions again.

We have Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Thank you, Chair. The Hawaii Farm Bureau will stand on its written testimony its support.

Stephanie Easley, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species.

Good morning, Chair and Vice Chair. My name is Stephanie Easley with the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species. Thank you for hearing this bill. As just mentioned, the two line spittlebug, when it attacks the rangelands, as mentioned in the bill, other more detrimental invasive species move in, making it so it's not even good for rangelands anymore. We're really excited about this bill.

One of the things that's supposed to come out of the two year program is a management plan, which hopefully could then be used by other people who are impacted. We also note that the bill does have a space for funds for DAB to carry this out. The plant pest control branch is a very small branch, and this is a big project. So we hope that the legislature will provide funds and promote this project. Thanks very much. I'm here if you have any questions.

Thank you. Next we have Hunter Heaivilin, Hawaii Farmers Union on Zoom.

Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair. Hawaii Farmers Union stands on its written testimony in support.

And we have Nicole Galase, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council on Zoom.

Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair. Nicole Galase on behalf of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council. We stand in strong support of this bill. The two line spittlebug is an invasive species that's impacting both food security and the health of the land. We wanna thank the legislators for previous funding that they've provided.

Currently, that funding is being used for continued research that is helping the ranchers understand what's happening and how to best address it, as well as providing direct rancher support. Ranchers are currently spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep this invasive species under control, but it is an issue that affects everyone. And, unfortunately, the two lined spittlebug has spread outside of its first area of infestation in South Kona. So we thank you for your support on this bill. Mahalo.

Thank you. We also received testimony in support from Larry Jefts Farms LLC, Hawaii Forest Association, Kualoa Ranch, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Hawaii Food Plus Policy, and Oahu Invasive Species Committee, as well as six individuals. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on this measure either in person or on Zoom? Seeing none. Question?

Quick one for Nicole, if you don't mind.

Yes, Vice Chair Kusch.

Thank you. Can you maybe just summarize quickly the outcomes of some of that funding and research? Has there been any direction? Like, has there been any promising leads on that? You know, has that funding yielded any kind of results and direction that that we can build on?

So I do know that some of the funding is going to UH for their research. They've been researching this since it was discovered in 2016. The research that they've been showing is able to help us to understand the different life cycles and the best way to address, you know, the best time to address, what methods to use.

That's still evolving because we are, now that we're seeing it in a new location, I think one of the best things to come out of this funding being available is that, one, it helped ranchers who are already battling the two lined spittlebug. So to just supplement some of the things that they're doing, help them to reseed areas so that two line spittlebug can't survive there, and we don't have more noxious weeds come in. But like I said, it has moved out of South Kona.

We've discovered it in Glenwood. The reason we found out about that was because we were doing outreach, and so they knew to reach out to say, I think I have two line spittlebug. We're able to identify it, and the funding was already available for us to help this these two new ranchers with support when they had no idea how to address it. We put them in touch with experienced ranchers, and then they had funding to help them to do some of the things that they needed to do, like getting rid of those noxious weeds, reseeding pasture, etcetera.

Okay. Thank you.

Thank you.

Any questions? Okay. Okay. Let's move on to the next measure. So we have next up, we have Senate Bill 2805 s t two relating to agriculture.

This measure establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit to incentivize significant investment in agricultural production and support expansion of agricultural crops that take longer to become productive. Sunsets, 01/01/2031. To testify, we have Department of Taxation. Comments?

The Department of Taxation stands on our testimony, Tom.

Thanks, Tyler.

Next, we have Department of Agriculture and Biotechnology.

That stands on his written testimony and support.

You Find Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Hawaii Farm Bureau is there on its written testimony in support.

Thank you.

We have a Tom Yamachika, Tax Foundation of Hawaii on Zoom.

Aloha. Killeen, Jeremiah for Tom Yamachika. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii stands on its written comments. Mahalo.

Thank you. Next, we have Hunter Heflin, Hawaii Farmers Union on Zoom.

Thank you, chair, vice chair, committee member, Hunter Heflin on behalf of Hawaii Farmers Union. We'll stand on our written testimony, offering numerous comments. I think it's important and this to some degree relates to the the discussion on the previous bill. As written, this could support a broad swath of the agricultural sector here or be very narrowly tailored to support only larger operations. It seems curious that there have been investments in tree crops for decades here, and we see this surfacing now.

So I think it is critical to ensure that there is a tiered system that supports smallholders to also benefit from this tax, to decrease the benefits that are received as the operation increases in scale, and to ensure that there are caps on the benefits that an individual operation can receive. Otherwise, what we risk doing is subsidizing the larger scale of the industry and doing so at the cost of benefits to the vast majority of farm operations within the state, which is to say smallholders.

If we take a close look at the parcel size in most agricultural zones, at least here on Oahu, they are under the minimum lot size in the zoning rules. And I would assume similar cases are are common in many parts of the state. Setting an acreage threshold that is too high or beyond that limit effectively eliminates the participation or further participation in the agricultural economy for all of these smallholders and family farms.

So I I believe that a tax credit can be beneficial, but we want to ensure that the benefits are distributed and not concentrated. Happy to answer any questions. Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.

Thank you. We also received testimony in support from the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on this measure either in person or on Zoom? Correct. Seeing none.

Any questions? Seeing none. Let's move on to the next measure. Next up, we have Senate Bill 3010 s d two relating to animal endangerment. This measure allows law enforcement officers, animal control officers, and firefighters to enter unattended vehicle to protect the health, safety, or well-being of a pet animal that is endangered by being left or confined in an unattended vehicle.

Allows private citizens to rescue a pet animal that has been left in an unattended vehicle under certain circumstances. Actually, we have no no one testifying in person in support, or we received testimony in support of this measure on the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the one in the. I'm seeing that there's no one here in person around is there anyone here in person around Zoom which can testify this measure? I'm seeing that. Let's move on numbers since it's not here to to pass.

Next up, we have Senate Bill 2892, SD 1, relating to feral chickens. This measure appropriates funds to each county to facilitate the collection of feral chickens that have already been caught. First up to testify, we have Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Hawaii Farm Bureau will stand on its written testimony in support.

Thank you. We also have testimony from Hunter Heaivilin, Hawaii Farmers Union.

Thank you, chair. Hawaii Farmers Union stands on its written testimony in support of a chicken in every pot.

Thank you. Actually, I was—apologies, Hunter. I was actually reading the wrong one, so.

I, I believe I submitted testimony, but I didn't see it in there, so.

Okay. Okay. I'll need to double check and send—I'll send it in if it didn't make it through the digital system.

Other than Hawaii Farm Bureau, we also received a testimony in support from Department of Customer Services, from the City and County of Honolulu, and three individuals. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on this measure? Seeing none. Members, any questions?

Seeing none. Let's move on to the next measure. Next up, we have Senate Bill 2595 SD one relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Requires payments to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for letting, licensing, or renting of its properties to be at market rates or higher. Exempts, lessees, and tenants from rural raise of this fresh local agricultural products with the Department of Education and partner members of food and product innovation network.

That's why we have Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Hawaii Farm Bureau's done. That's right. That's money supporting the intent. Thank you.

Yeah. Hawaii, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hunter, Kevin, Hudson.

Thank you, chair, vice chair, committee member. Hunter Heflin here on behalf of Hawaii Farmers Union. We offer some comments on this bill. We believe that while we support the idea of a food product innovation network that we would like to see that it is, again, similar to our previous testimony, supporting a diversity of farm and agricultural operations scales. So we have the, addition to, ensure that the gross revenues of those participating, reflect the distribution of agricultural operations in the state.

Thank you.

So I have test comments from Office of Wine Affairs and testimony and support from Hawaii Food Plus Policy. Is there anyone else here wishing to testify on this measuring? I'm seeing none. Remember, is there any questions? Any questions?

Let's move on to our last measure on the agenda.

We have senate bill two seven eight one s d one relating to requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to convene a working group and shall identify, gather, and report on any existing studies or assessments conducted, data assembled by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity or University of Hawaii on flower farms, new materials, capacity of local floriculture to meet public and private demand, conduct the study of the state's floriculture industry, and submit the report to the legislature, Sun sets the working group on 06/30/2027.

First up to testify, we have the office of client affairs.

Senator Reid. Thank you.

Testimony from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Policy and Policy.

That stands on its written testimony and support.

Thank you. Testimony from Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Hawaii Farm Bureau's data. It's written testimony in support.

Thank you. We have testimony from Hunter Heaivilin, Hawaii Farmers Union.

Hawaii Farmers Union stands on its written testimony in support.

Thank you. So we have Kuhio Lewis, wine council.

Hello. Good morning. Kujil Lewis, CEO for the wine council. I wanted to come in person to testify on this measure. We are asking for the committee to restore the language that was originally in the bill.

I think it's fair that we have enough studies to tell us the needs of why we should be labeling locally made products and flora. This is an important bill for the Hawaiian Council. We've been working very closely with farmers to better understand their needs. This is a step towards addressing a much bigger issue of importing local what's considered local. In addition to this bill, we are working closely with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

We just received some funding to to stimulate our local farmers from them as well as from private philanthropy. And so this is bill works hand in hand with some of the efforts that are going on to try to re revitalize our flower industry. So the original language asked for mainly two things. One is to phase in the state agencies to start buying local lease. And it was over a long period of time.

It wasn't tomorrow. It was seven years from now, a percentage would have to come from locally sourced lease. And the other was to label and identify which lei were what we need. The creation of a working group just drags that all out. It really is not gonna give us the results that we need.

Flower farmers are dying, literally. And we need to provide them some immediate support. So we are asking for the original language to be restored. We are doing beyond just legislation looking at ways to stimulate the industry, to try to bring our farmer our flower farmers back. And so we're asking for your consideration to please put back the language that was originally put in.

And that's all I really wanted to emphasize today. Thank you so much.

So we're seeing a testimony in support from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands and two individuals here wishing to testify on this measure.

Aloha, chair, vice chair, and members of the committee. My name is Patrick Chee. I'm from the Department of Land and Natural Resources in the Hawaiian Basin Species Council. I'm here on behalf of my division. We just saw this yesterday, so, sorry for the the late testimony.

We may, we handed that that out to you folks this morning. But essentially, if there is a lay working group that is, put together, the Division of Forestry and Wildlife would like to have a seat at the table, in large part because a lot of the ley making materials come from our forests.

And so it would be, it would be important for, the Division of Forestry and Wildlife to have a handle on, you know, who's, you know, coming in and getting what and, and, of course, helping people understand the need for best management practices. Because, whenever, lay material folks go out into the forest, they could be spreading rapid ohia death or little fire ants or other types of invasive species, as well as potentially causing changes in the ecosystem.

So we have in place already a permitting system in order for people to go out and collect legally, but we know that there are a number of people who go out there and collect even without those permits.

So if we can encourage the lei making industry to comply and get permits, we'd be happy to be involved in that working group or even a discussion with that. So thank you.

Is there anyone else wishing to testify this morning? Yeah.

Aloha Mai Kakou, chair and esteemed members of this hearing. I am Kumu Hinalei Moana Waangkalu. I I do in fact serve as ambassador for Hawaiian Council. However, I come to you presenting with a desire to actually give you a little bit more background info as to why we would take the stances that we do. For several reasons, one of the most important is that we have lay that are beyond flora and fauna.

We have shell lei, we have seed lei, we have so many different lei. And in a world, in a Hawaii where everything is has been commodified, it's absolutely critical for us to honor the skill set and the ancestral knowledge that are still practiced until today. For example, on the island of Mihi Hawq, although the shells have the supply has dwindled greatly and when you see them in fact I'm wearing one of them now.

The shells continue to get smaller each year and it takes much longer and it takes much more time to gather to allow or to create an opportunity for all sorts of things to be put out. Like how when I see on social media, people are selling shells from different islands.

Their craftsmanship is nowhere near what I know from my family on the island of Iihau. And so, when we think of getting into the weeds and the intimacies of what goes into lay, it's critical to remember that again it's beyond flora and fauna. There are people that will pull shells from all sorts of places and claim, for example Nihihel shell but it's not a shell from Nihihel. And also in flora and fauna, we place a value on certain types of flowers.

And so the actual Hawaiian concept of giving lei and the perpetuation of this, especially in and amongst city and state offices and events, it's so very important to demonstrate that there's a Hawaiian understanding of the value of lei and not just because lei look pretty.

And oftentimes the lei that we value are actually grown far better here in our island. So for this, your background information, thank you so much for your consideration today. Mahalo nui.

Good to be here. Is there any other opposition to testify on this measure either in person or on Zoom? Seeing none. Numbers, any questions? No?

Sing that. We're gonna take a short recess.

Sing that. We're gonna take a short recess.

Okay. We're reconvening our 09:30 agenda for decision making. So first up on the agenda, we have Senate Bill two three one nine s d one relating to the Department of National Security.

Recommendation then chair is to we're gonna pass out a house draft one and we're just gonna re defect the date to 07/01/2000.

Thank you, chair. Voting on SB2319 s d one. Chair, chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments, chair and vice chair voting aye. And for the purpose of this vote and the remaining votes, okay, I'll get to him then. Thank you, chair.

Representative Kahaloha. Aye. Representative Long. Aye. Representative Peruso.

Aye.

Noting for this vote and all further votes,

I'm

going in order.

Oh, okay. Okay. Over. Are you gonna quit?

Representative Quinlan will be excused. Representative Botswana.

Thank you register my vote.

Thank you. Appreciate all the input. Chair, your recommendation is adopted. Thank you.

Next, we have Senate bill 2407 s t two related to agricultural land. So the recommendation of the chair on this one, we're gonna pass out a house draft one. So I know there's some uncertainty with, acquiring and building out the cold storage unit that this position needs. So what we're gonna do is we're gonna establish the position. I'll remove the appropriation at this time just to ensure that the position is available when needed.

And so this build goes to finance next. And when we receive more information, we can better assess whether to apply the necessary funding. I'm also gonna redefect the date to 07/01/2000. Questions, comments, or concerns? Seeing none.

Yes, chair.

Thank you, chair. Voting on sb 2407 s d two. Chair's recommendation is passed with amendments. Chair and vice chair voting aye. Is there any reservations or nays?

Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. Next, we have Senate Bill 2489, SD 1, relating to invasive species.

So, members, I wanna keep this moving for now and so, that I'd, I'd recommend we pass out a house draft one. I'm just gonna re-defect the date to 07/01/3000. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

[Roll Call]

Thank you, Members. Next, we have Senate Bill 2153, SD 2, related to agriculture. Okay. So the recommendation of the Chair, we're gonna pass out a House Draft 1. But what we're gonna do is we're gonna shift this from DAB coming up with recommendations to the tier system to a qualified farmer working group. So we're just gonna take it out of statute and instead put it into session laws.

And then we're gonna have DAB work with the industry and have them collaborate with the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Cattlemen Council, Floriculture and Nursery Association, and OHA, which is especially to add other groups. And the group will be tasked with assessing the three tier system in the bill and determining whether it is feasible considering all of the different farming operations in the state.

We will give the group two years because I honestly think one year is not enough time for something this important. And we'll sunset it in 2028 and put in reporting requirements to the legislature. And also defective date to July 1, 3000. Any questions, comments, or concerns, Members? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Thank you, Chair. Voting on SB 2153, SD 2. Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Is there any reservations or nays? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you very much members. Next, we have Senate bill 2321 SD one relating to the two line spittle bug. Recommendation is to pass out of house draft one. So we're just gonna simply insert an end date to the pilot program on 06/30/2028 and we defect the date to 07/01/2000. Questions, comments, or concerns?

Seeing none, vice chair for both.

Thank you, chair. Voting on SB 2321 SD one. Chair's recommendation is passed with amendments. Chair, vice chair voting aye. Is there any reservations or nay?

Seeing none, chair your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. Next, we have Senate Bill 2805, SD 2, relating to agriculture. So, for this measure, we are going to pass out a house draft one. We're going to take the suggested amendments by DOTAX for Paragraphs D and F and apply it to costs incurred after 12/31/2026. And we're also going to redefect the date to 07/01/3000.

[Roll Call]

Next bill, Senate Bill 3010, SD 2, relating to animal endangerment. Such an important agricultural issue. But recommendation of the Chair, we're gonna keep this moving. We're gonna pass out of House Draft 1, and we're just gonna re-defect the date to July 1, 3000. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair.

Thank you, Chair. Voting on SB 3010, SD 2. Chair's recommendation is pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Are any reservations or aye or nays? Seeing none. Chair, recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, Members. Next, we have Senate Bill 2892, SD 1, relating to feral chickens. Recommendation of the Chair, we're gonna pass out as a House Draft 1. We're gonna put in some clarifying language that the funding is to facilitate the receipt, handling, and humane disposition of feral chickens already captured. And we're also gonna re-defect the date to July 1, 3000. Any questions, comments, or concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Thank you, Chair. Voting on SB 2892, SD 1. Chair's recommendation is pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Are there any reservations or nays? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Thank you, members. Next, we have Senate Bill 2595 SD one relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. So the recommendation for this bill, we're gonna pass out a house draft one to address concerns that were brought up in testimony with the market rate language. We're going to change that from market rate to fair market value. And this will be the same process that DAB and DLNR uses.

So we will adopt that process in HRS section 141 d 11 so that the process is consistent with other departments. And you're gonna also further redefecorate the date to 07/01/2020. Any questions, comments, or concerns members? Seeing none, vice chair for the help.

Thank you, chair. Voting on SB 2,595 SD one. Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and vice chair voting aye. Is there any reservations or nays?

Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Alright. Thank you, Members. Our last measure. Senate Bill 2781, SD 1, relating to lei. So I'm going to recommend that we revert back to the original intent of this bill by inserting the contents of House Bill 2194, HD 2, which is the version we passed out of this. Similar to the bill that we passed out... And it that already has a defective date in that draft. So any questions, comments, or concerns? Seeing none.

Thank you, Chair. Voting on final measure, SB 2781, SD 1. Chair's recommendation is to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Is there any reservations or no votes? Seeing none. Chair, your recommendation is adopted.

Great. Thank you, everyone.