Bill > SB498

This bill establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address housing challenges for agricultural workers in Hawaii. The working group will consist of high-level state and county officials, including the governor, chairs of various commissions, and representatives from agricultural organizations. The group's primary objectives include determining specific housing needs for agricultural workers in each county, assessing existing resources and laws related to workforce housing, exploring zoning policy revisions to facilitate housing near agricultural zones, identifying potential partnerships, and investigating financial incentives like tax credits to support agricultural workforce housing development. The working group is required to submit an interim report before the 2027 legislative session and a final report before the 2028 legislative session, after which it will be dissolved. To support its work, the bill appropriates $800,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to cover data gathering, consultation, and reporting expenses. The legislation is designed to comprehensively address the critical shortage of housing for agricultural workers by creating a dedicated, multi-agency task force to develop targeted solutions. The working group will operate administratively under the Department of Agriculture and is set to begin its work on July 1, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=498&year=2026