Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB2320: Relating to Agriculture.
Status: In committee, May 1, 2026
Establishes the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Pilot Program to create career pipelines in the fields of agriculture and agricultural technology. Requires the University of Hawaii to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and appropriate community organizations to develop and administer the program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to agriculture.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. SECTION 1. The State's food system depends on cultivating a skilled, culturally grounded, and resilient agricultural workforce. While Hawaii imports over eighty per cent of its food, the State faces a shortage of young farmers and agriculture professionals. These issues have led to stress for small farms to scale up production, which is only exacerbated by a weak workforce pipeline required for sustainable growth in the State's agricultural sector. The legislature further finds that Connecticut's Agricultural Science and Technology Education program, which provides high school students with hands-on technical training, certifications, and direct job placement in a variety of agriculture-related fields through its regional centers, has demonstrated measurable success in building agricultural career pathways. California has also launched the California AgTech Alliance to establish a statewide platform to connect research, industry, and farmers in a more coordinated way through its nine 2026-1320 SB2320 SD1 SMA.docx MMMHM Page 2 S.B. NO. 2320 S.D. regional innovation hubs by deploying cutting-edge technology and training the next generation of agricultural workers, ensuring that farms of all sizes, especially small- and mid-scale operations, have access to the tools and partnerships that keep them productive and sustainable. The State has a unigue opportunity to adapt this proven regional hub model into a culturally grounded, island-specific career pathway system …
Sponsors
- Mike Gabbard (D, 21) · primary sponsor
- Stanley Chang (D, 9)
- Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
- Dru Kanuha (D, 3)
- Angus McKelvey (D, 6)
- Tim Richards (D, SD-004)
- Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)
Latest actions
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 5:20PM in Conference Room 229.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 3:30PM in conference room 229.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-30-26 3:15PM in conference room 229.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 3:30PM; Conference Room 229.
- : Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 2:50PM; Conference Room 229.
- : Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 720).
- : Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; Gabbard, Kidani Co-Chairs; DeCorte.
- : Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 800).
- : House Conferees Appointed: Chun, Garrett, Kusch Co-Chairs; Matsumoto.
- : Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
Votes
- Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1) (April 14, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 8, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan excused (4) (March 30, 2026): 46 yea, 1 nay, passed
- HED: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 25, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on HED with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1) (March 20, 2026): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
- AGR: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 18, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Appropriations, DOE, Counties, UH, DOA, Reports, Agriculture
Common questions
- What is SB2320?
- SB2320 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Agriculture.
- What does SB2320 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to agriculture.
- What is the status of SB2320?
- In committee as of May 1, 2026. Latest action: Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 5:20PM in Conference Room 229. (May 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB2320?
- Mike Gabbard (D, 21), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB2320?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2320&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.