Bill > SB666

This bill addresses Hawaii's agricultural workforce challenges by converting two temporary Farm-to-School extension agent positions (one each on Kauai and Oahu) into permanent full-time positions within the University of Hawaii at Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, and establishing a new full-time Agriculture Education Coordinator position. The legislation is motivated by the aging farming population in Hawaii (average farmer age is 60) and the need to increase food security and agricultural education. The bill aims to support a coordinated framework for agriculture education by creating permanent positions that will help increase student exposure to agricultural education, expand career and technical education pathways in agriculture, improve teacher training in food systems, and ultimately decrease the average age of farmers while growing the agricultural workforce. The bill appropriates funds for both the converted extension agent positions and the new coordinator position, with funding allocated for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The legislation takes effect on July 31, 2050, and is considered a matter of statewide concern under the Hawaii State Constitution.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=666&year=2026