SB 2405

THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2405
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
H.D. 2
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
���� SECTION 1.� (a)� There is established within the department of
agriculture and biosecurity for administrative purposes an agricultural
workforce housing working group to address the shortage and challenges of
agricultural workforce housing in the State.
���� (b)�
The working group shall comprise the following members or their
designees:
���� (1)� The
chairperson of the board of agriculture and biosecurity, who shall serve as
co-chair of the working group;
���� (2)� The
chairperson of the board of directors of the agribusiness development
corporation, who shall serve as co-chair of the working group;
���� (3)� The
executive director of the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation;
���� (4)� The
chairperson of the land use commission;
���� (5)� The
director of the office of planning and sustainable development;
���� (6)� The
chairperson of the board of trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs; and
���� (7)� The
mayors of each county.
���� (c)�
The co-chairs of the working group shall invite one representative from
each of the following organizations to participate as a member of the working
group:
���� (1)� Hawaii
Agricultural Foundation;
���� (2)� Hawaii
Agriculture Research Center;
���� (3)� Hawaii
Farm Bureau; and
���� (4)� Hawaii
Farmers Union United.
���� (d)�
The co-chairs of the working group may invite other individuals with
relevant knowledge and expertise to serve as working group members.
���� (e)�
The department of agriculture and biosecurity may provide administrative
support to the working group.
���� (f)�
The working group shall:
���� (1)� Gather
data and information and survey farm operators to assess the realistic demand
for farm workers;
���� (2)� Determine:
��������� (A)� The
specific housing needs of each agricultural workforce within each county; and
��������� (B)� Existing
government resources available for adaptive reuse into agricultural workforce
housing;
���� (3)� Assess
existing laws, policies, and procedures that would allow the construction of
agricultural workforce housing:
��������� (A)� Near
agricultural zones; or
��������� (B)� With
agricultural facilities in mixed-use developmental zones;
���� (4)� Consider
any revisions necessary to existing zoning, building, and land use policies
that would allow the construction of:
��������� (A)� Workforce
housing:
������������� (i)� Near agricultural zones; or
������������ (ii)� With agricultural facilities in mixed-use developmental zones; or
��������� (B)� Innovative
housing models such as modular homes, tiny homes, and container homes;
���� (5)� Explore
partnerships with private and public entities to construct agricultural
workforce housing projects;
���� (6)� Identify
any financial incentives, including tax credit programs for agricultural
employers who invest in housing solutions for their workforce, that would
support the construction of agricultural workforce housing projects in the
State; and
���� (7)� Study
the feasibility of implementing a state income tax credit to investors who
incur costs to construct, install, acquire, or rehabilitate agricultural
workforce housing in the State.
���� (g) �The
working group shall submit an interim report of its progress, including any
proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular session of 2028 and submit a final report of its
findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the
legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular
session of 2029.
���� (h)�
The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2029.
���� SECTION 2.�
There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $  or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the agricultural
workforce housing working group established by this Act to gather the necessary
data and prepare the required reports, including any consultation fees and
related expenses.
���� The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of agriculture and biosecurity for the purposes of this Act.
���� SECTION 3.�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
DAB; Agricultural
Workforce Housing Working Group; Report; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture
and Biosecurity to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural
workforce housing in the State.� Requires
reports to the Legislature.� Appropriates
funds.� Effective 7/1/3000.� (HD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.