Bill > HB782

This bill establishes a working group within Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to review and recommend updates to agricultural laws that may be outdated or unnecessary. The working group will consist of 15 members representing various state agencies, county governments, and agricultural organizations, including representatives from the Board of Agriculture, Board of Land and Natural Resources, and local farmer unions. The group will specifically examine potential changes to laws related to state agricultural land leases, restrictions on farming activities, agricultural operation loan rates, workforce development, water access, and procurement policies affecting locally grown food. State employees will serve on the group without compensation, while non-state members will receive travel expenses. The working group is required to submit a comprehensive report with findings and proposed legislation to the legislature by December 2025 and will dissolve on June 30, 2026. The bill also appropriates funds for the group's operations and is set to take effect on July 1, 2050. The underlying motivation for this bill is to help Hawaii's agricultural industry adapt to challenges like climate change, globalization, invasive species, and changing market conditions by modernizing existing agricultural regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=782&year=2026