Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB2706: Relating to Workforce Development.
Status: In committee, May 1, 2026
Establishes a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College and the Department of Human Resources Development. Requires a report to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to workforce development.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. SECTION 1. (a) There is established within the department of agriculture and biosecurity, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii's Leeward community college and the department of human resources development, a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program to equip interested students with the necessary entry-level knowledge, skill set, expertise, and advancement potential in the field of agriculture and biosecurity. (b) The agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program shall: (1) Develop a curriculum of a broad spectrum of topics relevant to agriculture and biosecurity; (2) Provide practical, hands-on training and work opportunities that allow students to gain real-world experience in the agriculture and biosecurity sector; provided that the training and provision of work opportunities shall not interfere with the existing 2026-1322 SB2706 SD1 SMA.docx ■■■HIIIHnaHRIHII Page S.B. NO. operations of the department of agriculture and biosecurity; and (3) Encourage additional training and credential attainment by offering increased compensation to participants who transition into agriculture and biosecurity employment. (c) The department of agriculture and biosecurity, in collaboration with the university of Hawaii's Leeward community college and the department of human resources development, shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations on the agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than …
Sponsors
- Mike Gabbard (D, 21) · primary sponsor
- Stanley Chang (D, 9)
- Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
- Tim Richards (D, SD-004)
Latest actions
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:00 PM; Conference Room 411.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 12:45 PM; Conference Room 325.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 9:15AM; Conference Room 325.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
- : Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 11:00AM; Conference Room 325.
- : Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 720).
- : Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Kim, Richards Co-Chairs; Awa.
- : Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 800).
Votes
- Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1) (April 14, 2026): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 7, 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, UH, Workforce Development, DOA, Reports
Common questions
- What is SB2706?
- SB2706 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Workforce Development.
- What does SB2706 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to workforce development.
- What is the status of SB2706?
- In committee as of May 1, 2026. Latest action: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:00 PM; Conference Room 411. (May 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB2706?
- Mike Gabbard (D, 21), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB2706?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2706&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.