Bill > SB498

This bill establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address the critical shortage of housing for agricultural workers in Hawaii. The working group will include representatives from various state and county agencies, including the governor, chairs of agricultural and housing-related commissions, and leaders from planning and water supply departments. Additionally, representatives from agricultural organizations like the Hawaii Agricultural Foundation and Hawaii Farm Bureau will be invited to participate. The group's primary tasks include determining specific housing needs for agricultural workers in each county, assessing existing resources and laws, exploring zoning policy revisions to facilitate workforce housing near agricultural zones, investigating potential public-private partnerships, and identifying financial incentives such as tax credits to support housing development. The working group will submit an interim report before the 2027 legislative session and a final report before the 2028 session, after which it will be dissolved. To support these efforts, the bill appropriates $800,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to cover data gathering, consultation fees, and related expenses, with funds to be administered by the Department of Agriculture. The bill will take effect 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=2025