RELATING TO THE FOOD AND PRODUCT INNOVATION NETWORK.

HB2459

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2459

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the food and product innovation network
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that Act 237, Session
Laws of Hawaii 2025, established a statewide food and product innovation
network within the agribusiness development corporation to advance value-added
manufacturing, exports, and food security.

����
The legislature further finds that
international best practices observed in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore
demonstrate that successful food innovation networks integrate:

����
(1)
�
Embedded food
safety and regulatory frameworks;

����
(2)
�
Measurable
performance indicators aligned between governing boards and legislative
oversight;

����
(3)
�
Coordinated
logistics, tourism, and export infrastructure;

����
(4)
�
Unified
place-based branding strategies; and

����
(5)
�
Sustained
international partnerships and market access.

����
The purpose of this Act is to
strengthen the food and product innovation network by refining governance,
performance accountability, regulatory integration, branding, export
facilitation, and international engagement in alignment with existing law and
the State's food security and economic diversification goals.

����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 163D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended as follows:

����
1.
�

By designating section 163D-20 as part IA, and inserting a title before
section 163D-20 to read:

"
Part Ia.
�

FOOD AND PRODUCT INNOVATION NETWORK
"

����
2.
�

By adding six new sections to part IA to be appropriately designated and
to read:

����
"
�163D-A
�
Food safety
and regulatory framework integration.
�
(a)
�
The food and product innovation network shall
incorporate a coordinated food safety and regulatory framework across all
primary and partner members.

����
(b)
�
The framework shall include but not be
limited to:

����
(1)
�
Alignment with
applicable federal and state food safety laws, regulations, rules, and food
codes;

����
(2)
�
Technical
assistance for labeling, testing, validation, and certification requirements;

����
(3)
�
Coordination
with the department of health, the university of Hawaii college of tropical
agriculture and human resources, and other relevant agencies; and

����
(4)
�
Integration of
regulatory compliance education into workforce development and training
programs offered through the network.

����
(c)
�
The corporation may enter into memoranda of
agreement or other arrangements necessary to implement this section.

����
�163D-B
�
Food and product innovation network;
performance indicators.
�
(a)
�

In consultation with the board of directors of the agribusiness
development corporation, the corporation shall establish key performance
indicators for the food and product innovation network.

����
(b)
�
The
key performance indicators shall include but not be limited to:

����
(1)
�
Number of
businesses served and graduating to independent commercial operations;

����
(2)
�
Increases in
value-added agricultural and food manufacturing output;

����
(3)
�
Export growth
and market diversification;

����
(4)
�
Workforce
training and credential attainment;

����
(5)
�
Contributions
toward the State's food security goals; and

����
(6)
�
Leveraged
private, federal, or philanthropic investment.

����
(c)
�
The performance indicators shall be used to
inform the annual report required under section 163D-E and strategic alignment
between the corporation, its board, and the legislature.

����
�163D-C
�
Coordination; market access.
�
The
corporation shall develop and implement a coordinated strategy to leverage
state and private sector assets to expand market access for food and
value-added products, including collaboration with the department of
transportation, the Hawaii tourism authority, airlines, harbors, hotels, and
logistics providers, to facilitate entry into national and international
markets.

����
�163D-D
�
State branding alignment.
�
(a)
�
In coordination with relevant state agencies,
the corporation shall align and harmonize the "Hawaii made", "Hawaii
grown", and other state-supported branding initiatives related to food and
value-added products.

����
(b)
�

The purpose of branding alignment under this section shall be to:

����
(1)
�
Reduce
duplication;

����
(2)
�
Strengthen
brand clarity in domestic and international markets; and

����
(3)
�
Maximize
economic returns producers and manufacturers.

����
�163D-E
�
Surveys; economic data; reports.
�
(a)
�
Certain surveys administered by
the department of commerce and consumer affairs and other designated agencies
shall, where practicable, collect economic and leverage data on indigenous and
Native Hawaiian businesses.

����
(b)
�
Data collected pursuant to this section shall
be shared with the department of business, economic development, and tourism
for economic analysis and reporting purposes, subject to applicable
confidentiality laws.

����
(c)
�
The corporation shall submit a report to the
legislature regarding the data collected pursuant to this section no later than
twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session.

����
�163D-F
�
Enterprise zones; expansion.
�
The
department of business, economic development, and tourism shall evaluate
opportunities to expand or adapt enterprise zone incentives in all counties to
better support the food and product innovation network.
"

����
SECTION
3.
�
In codifying the new sections added
by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate
section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this
Act.

����
SECTION 4
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Food and
Product Innovation Network; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Food Safety;
Regulatory Integration; Performance Indicators; Market Access; Branding
Initiatives; Reports; DBEDT; Enterprise Zones

Description:

Requires
the Food and Product Innovation Network to integrate a coordinated food safety
and regulatory framework.
�
Requires the
Agribusiness Development Corporation to establish performance indicators for
the Food and Product Innovation Network, develop a market access strategy,
align and harmonize state branding initiatives, and report certain data to the
Legislature.
�
Requires the Department of
Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to evaluate or adopt enterprise
zone initiatives to all counties.

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