RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Agriculture Budget Housing Labor Taxes

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: KAHALOA
Last action: 2026-04-02
Official status: Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not explicitly state how many agricultural workers will benefit from the effort.

Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group

This bill establishes a working group within the Department of Agriculture to address housing issues for agricultural workers in Hawaii, requires reports to the Legislature, and funds the effort.

What This Bill Does

Creates an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group inside the Department of Agriculture.
Requires the group to study housing needs and existing resources for agricultural workers.
Asks the group to look at laws that could help build more workforce housing near farms or in mixed-use areas.
Explores partnerships with private and public entities to create new housing projects.
Identifies financial incentives, such as tax credits, for employers who invest in housing solutions for their agricultural workers.
Studies the feasibility of implementing a state income tax credit for investors who incur costs to construct or rehabilitate agricultural workforce housing.
Funds the working group with $800,000 from state revenues for two fiscal years.

Who It Names or Affects

Agricultural workers who need housing in Hawaii
Government agencies involved in land use and planning

Terms To Know

Working Group: A team of people brought together to solve a specific problem or issue.
Mixed-use Developmental Zones: Areas where different types of buildings and activities, like homes and businesses, are allowed in the same place.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how many agricultural workers will benefit from this effort.
It is unclear what specific changes to laws or policies might come out of the working group's recommendations.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment establishes a working group within the Department of Agriculture to address agricultural workforce housing shortages by identifying needs, exploring partnerships, and recommending policies.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group with specific members including government officials and representatives from relevant organizations.
Requires the working group to determine housing needs for agricultural workers in each county and assess existing resources and laws related to workforce housing near or within agricultural zones.
Directs the working group to explore partnerships, identify financial incentives, and study tax credit feasibility for agricultural workforce housing projects.

The amendment text does not specify how the working group will be dissolved on June 30, 2028, beyond stating that it shall occur.
It is unclear what specific actions or recommendations the working group must make regarding zoning and land use policies.

HD2

Hawaii published version HD2

Plain English: This amendment establishes a working group within the Department of Agriculture to address housing shortages for agricultural workers in Hawaii, requiring reports to the legislature and appropriating funds.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group with specific members including government officials and representatives from relevant organizations.
Requires the working group to assess existing laws and resources related to agricultural workforce housing and explore partnerships for construction projects.
Specifies that the working group must submit interim and final reports to the legislature by certain deadlines.

The exact amount of funds appropriated is not specified in the amendment text.
The effectiveness date mentioned (July 1, 3000) seems incorrect or symbolic and needs clarification.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group with specific members including government officials and representatives from relevant organizations.
Requires the working group to assess existing laws and resources related to agricultural workforce housing and explore partnerships for construction projects.
Specifies that the working group must submit interim and final reports to the legislature by certain deadlines.

The exact amount of funds appropriated is not specified in the amendment text provided.

Bill History

2026-04-02 S
Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
2026-04-01 H
House Conferee(s) discharged.
2026-03-20 H
Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 409).
2026-03-20 S
Senate Conferee(s) discharged.
2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-04-23 H
Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Friday, 04-25-25 9:00AM in conference room 224.
2025-04-22 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 862).
2025-04-22 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Chang, Moriwaki Co-Chairs; DeCoite, Richards, Awa.
2025-04-21 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 755).
2025-04-17 H
House Conferees Appointed: Evslin, Kahaloa, Miyake Co-Chairs; Grandinetti, Muraoka.
2025-04-11 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 704).
2025-04-10 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2025-04-08 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 753) in amended form (SD 1).
2025-04-08 S
Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2025-04-04 S
One Day Notice 04-08-25.
2025-04-04 S
Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1770) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2025-04-02 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-03-27 S
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-02-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2025-03-20 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2025-03-20 S
Reported from AEN/HOU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1187) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
2025-03-10 S
The committee(s) on HOU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HOU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Chang, Hashimoto, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Aquino, Fevella.
2025-03-10 S
The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-03-06 S
The committee(s) on AEN/HOU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-10-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
2025-03-06 S
Referred to AEN/HOU, WAM.
2025-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2025-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 351).
2025-03-04 H
Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka voting no (2) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
2025-02-28 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-04-25.
2025-02-28 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1039) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
2025-02-25 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Alcos, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Kitagawa, Ward.
2025-02-21 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 02-25-25 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-14 H
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, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4).
2025-02-14 H
Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 645), recommending referral to FIN.
2025-02-12 H
The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Kusch, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.
2025-02-07 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Wednesday, 02-12-25 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-06 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on AGR with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Ward excused (1).
2025-02-06 H
Reported from HSG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 214) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to AGR.
2025-02-05 H
The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Evslin, Miyake, Grandinetti, Kila, Kitagawa, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, La Chica, Pierick.
2025-01-31 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HSG on Wednesday, 02-05-25 9:00AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-27 H
Referred to HSG, AGR, FIN, referral sheet 4
2025-01-23 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-22 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.
DOA; Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group; Report; Appropriations ($)
Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1294

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1294

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to agricultural workforce housing
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
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(a)
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The department of agriculture shall establish
an agricultural workforce housing working group to address the shortage and
challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State.

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(b)
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The working group shall comprise the following members or their
designees:

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(1)
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The
governor;

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(2)
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The
chairperson of the board of agriculture, who shall serve as co-chair of the
working group;

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(3)
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The
chairperson of the Hawaiian homes commission;

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(4)
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The
chairperson of the agribusiness development corporation, who shall serve as
co-chair of the working group;

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(5)
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The
executive director of the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation;

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(6)
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The
executive director of the Hawaii public housing authority;

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(7)
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The
chairperson of the land use commission;

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(8)
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The
director of the office of planning and sustainable development;

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(9)
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The
chief engineer of the engineering division of the department of land and
natural resources;

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(10)
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The
mayor of each county;

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(11)
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The
director of each county planning department;

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(12)
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The
director of each county housing department; and

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(13)
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The
chief engineer of each county board of water supply.

����
(c)
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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)
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Hawaii
Agricultural Foundation;

����
(2)
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Hawaii
Agriculture Research Center;

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(3)
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Hawaii
Farm Bureau; and

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(4)
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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)
�

No member shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
solely because of that member's participation as a member of the working group.

����
(f)
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The department of agriculture is requested to provide administrative
support to the working group.

����
(g)
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The working group shall:

����
(1)
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Determine:

���������
(A)
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The
specific housing needs of each agricultural workforce within each county; and

���������
(B)
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Existing
government resources available for adaptive reuse into agricultural workforce
housing;

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(2)
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Assess
existing laws, policies, and procedures that would allow the construction of
workforce housing:

���������
(A)
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Near
agricultural zones; or

���������
(B)
�
With
agricultural facilities in mixed-use developmental zones;

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(3)
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Consider
any revisions necessary to existing zoning and land use policies that would
allow the construction of workforce housing:

���������
(A)
�
Near
agricultural zones; or

���������
(B)
�
With
agricultural facilities in mixed-use developmental zones;

����
(4)
�
Explore
partnerships with private and public entities to construct agricultural
workforce housing projects;

����
(5)
�
Identify
any financial incentives, such as 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

����
(6)
�
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.

����
(h)
�
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 2027, 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 2028
.

����
(i)
�

The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2028.

����
SECTION 2.
�

There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $800,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal
year 2026-2027 for the agricultural workforce housing working group established
in section I of this Act to gather the necessary data and prepare the required
reports, including any consultation fees and related expenses.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture
for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION 3.
�

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOA; Agricultural
Workforce Housing Working Group; Report; Appropriations

Description:

Requires
the Department of Agriculture to establish an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working
Group to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing
in the State.
�
Requires reports to the
Legislature.
�
Appropriates funds.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.