SB3233 • 2026

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Agriculture Housing

Active

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

Sponsor: DELA CRUZ, KIDANI
Last action: 2026-05-01
Official status: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:00 PM; Conference Room 411.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

What This Bill Does

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.
DAB; ADC; State Agencies; Agricultural Workforce Housing Incentives; Agricultural Leases; State Procurement; Preferences; Report Requires state agencies that administer agricultural leases, licenses, development programs, or procurement involving agricultural products to award points or preferences to agricultural projects incorporating agricultural workforce housing.
Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to submit a report to the Legislature.
Effective 7/1/3000.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

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

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: SB3233 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB3233 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
3233 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

HD2

Hawaii published version HD2

Plain English: SB3233 HD2 THE SENATE S.B.

SB3233 HD2 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
3233 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: SB3233 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB3233 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
3233 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING .

Bill History

2026-05-01 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:00 PM; Conference Room 411.
2026-05-01 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 12:45 PM; Conference Room 325.
2026-04-30 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 9:15AM; Conference Room 325.
2026-04-29 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
2026-04-28 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
2026-04-24 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
2026-04-23 S
Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 11:00AM; Conference Room 325.
2026-04-23 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 811).
2026-04-22 H
House Conferees Appointed: Chun, Miyake, Kusch Co-Chairs; Matsumoto.
2026-04-21 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 718).
2026-04-21 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; McKelvey, Richards Co-Chairs; Rhoads.
2026-04-10 H
Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 564).
2026-04-10 S
Senate disagrees with House amendments.
2026-04-10 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 529).
2026-04-09 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-04-09 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1997-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-04-07 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Morikawa.
2026-04-02 H
Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 04-07-26 10:10AM in conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-04-02 H
The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 04-07-26.
2026-03-31 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 04-02-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-30 H
Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan excused (4).
2026-03-30 H
Reported from HSG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1516-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.
2026-03-25 H
The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Evslin, Miyake, Grandinetti, Kila, Kitagawa, La Chica, Pierick; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Cochran, Muraoka; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-03-20 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HSG on Wednesday, 03-25-26 10:00AM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-20 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on HSG with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).
2026-03-20 H
Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1252-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to HSG.
2026-03-18 H
The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-03-12 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Wednesday, 03-18-26 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-12 H
This measure has been deleted from the meeting scheduled on Friday 03-13-26 10:00AM in conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-11 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Friday, 03-13-26 10:00AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-10 H
Referred to AGR, HSG, FIN, referral sheet 16
2026-03-10 H
Pass First Reading
2026-03-06 H
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 125) in amended form (SD 1).
2026-03-06 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.
2026-03-05 S
One Day Notice 03-06-26.
2026-03-05 S
Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2746) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
2026-03-03 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.
2026-02-25 S
The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-02-23 S
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:56AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-02-20 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2026-02-20 S
Reported from AEN/GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2500) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
2026-02-12 S
The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.
2026-02-12 S
The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Hashimoto, Moriwaki, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-02-09 S
The committee(s) on AEN/GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 02-12-26 3:05PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
2026-02-02 S
Referred to AEN/GVO, WAM.
2026-01-28 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-01-28 S
Introduced.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.
DAB; ADC; State Agencies; Agricultural Workforce Housing Incentives; Agricultural Leases; State Procurement; Preferences; Report
Requires state agencies that administer agricultural leases, licenses, development programs, or procurement involving agricultural products to award points or preferences to agricultural projects incorporating agricultural workforce housing. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to submit a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB3233

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3233

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to agricultural workforce housing
.

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

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that
agricultural workforce housing is essential to developing and sustaining the workforce
needed to move Hawaii's agricultural sector forward.
�
Agriculture across the State, particularly on
the neighbor islands, faces persistent labor shortages driven in part by
limited and high-cost housing options that make it difficult to recruit and
retain workers.
�
Without reliable and
proximate housing, farms struggle to maintain stable operations, expand
production, or meet institutional and local food demand.

����
The
legislature further finds that agricultural workforce housing produces broad
public benefits that extend far beyond individual employers.
�
These benefits include improved food
security, greater production reliability, strengthened rural and neighbor
island economies, enhanced worker safety, and more resilient communities.
�
Because these benefits accrue statewide and
support the State's long-term goals for food production and economic
diversification, it is appropriate to recognize agricultural workforce housing
as a public good worthy of incentive, rather than impose new regulatory
mandates on farmers.

����
The
legislature also finds that Hawaii's agricultural workforce is experiencing
significant decline and demographic pressure.
�
According to the United States Department of
Agriculture's 2022 Census of Agriculture, the total number of farms in Hawaii
has decreased by approximately ten per cent over the most recent reporting
period, and nearly half of the State's agricultural producers are sixty-five
years of age or older.
�
These trends
underscore the urgent need for policies that attract, retain, and stabilize the
next generation of agricultural workers.
�
Workforce housing remains one of the most
critical barriers to building a reliable agricultural labor force, especially
on the neighbor islands where housing scarcity and high costs pose substantial
challenges.

����
The
purpose of this Act is to support Hawaii's agricultural workforce by
incorporating agricultural workforce housing as a scored public benefit within
existing state evaluation and decision-making processes.

����
SECTION
2.
�
(a)
�

Any state agency administering agricultural leases, licenses,
development programs, or procurement involving agricultural products, including
but not limited to the department of agriculture and biosecurity and the
agribusiness development corporation, shall award additional points or preferences
to agricultural projects that voluntarily provide:

����
(1)
�
On-site or proximate workforce housing for
agricultural workers; or

����
(2)
�
Formal partnerships that secure housing for a
portion of the agricultural workforce associated with the project.

����
(b)
�
To qualify for additional points or
preferences under subsection (a), an agricultural project shall demonstrate
plans to provide housing for at least twenty per cent of the agricultural
workforce associated with the project; provided that state agencies under
subsection (a) may authorize:

����
(1)
�
Phased implementation over time;

����
(2)
�
Scaled requirements based on farm size,
project type, or labor needs; and

����
(3)
�
Region-specific flexibility to account for
neighbor island conditions, available housing stock, and infrastructure
capacity.

����
(c)
�
State agencies may update existing scoring
rubrics, guidelines, or program rules to implement this section without the
need for additional statutory authority.

����
(d)
�
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to:

����
(1)
�
Create a mandate that agricultural operators
provide workforce housing;

����
(2)
�
Penalize applicants that do not provide
workforce housing; or

����
(3)
�
Supersede or alter existing health, safety, or
land-use requirements applicable to housing development.

����
(e)
�
For the purposes of this section:

����
"Agricultural
project" means any agricultural, aquacultural, or agroforestry project
applying for or participating in a:

����
(1)
�
State agricultural land lease or license;

����
(2)
�
State-supported agricultural development
program; or

����
(3)
�
State procurement, grant, or institutional
purchasing contract that includes agricultural production.

����
"Agricultural
workforce housing" means on-site, proximate, or partnered housing
arrangements intended to accommodate agricultural workers employed by,
contracted with, or directly supporting an agricultural project.

����
"State
agency" means all executive departments, boards, and commissions of the
State and all public corporations created by the legislature.
�
"State agency" does not include any
contractor with the State.

����
SECTION
3.
�
The department of agriculture and
biosecurity shall submit a 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
2027.
�
The report
shall include:

����
(1)
�
Implementation of the incentive scoring
provisions in this Act;

����
(2)
�
The number of applicants that received
additional points or preference;

����
(3)
�
Challenges encountered; and

����
(4)
�
Recommendations for improving or expanding the
incentive framework.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

State
Agencies; DAB; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Agricultural Workforce
Housing Incentives; Agricultural Leases; State Procurement; Preferences

Description:

Requires
state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and
Agribusiness Development Corporation, that
administer agricultural
leases, licenses, development programs, or procurement involving agricultural
products to award points or preferences to agricultural projects
incorporating agricultural workforce
housing.
�
Requires a report to the
Legislature.

The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.