HI HB1294

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address agricultural workforce housing shortage and challenges in Hawaii.

Working group membership includes the governor, board of agriculture chairperson (co-chair), agribusiness development corporation chairperson (co-chair), Hawaiian homes commission chairperson, state housing and land officials, all county mayors, county planning and housing directors, county water supply chiefs, and representatives from Hawaii Agricultural Foundation, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union United.

Working group shall determine housing needs by county and workforce, assess existing laws and policies for agricultural housing construction, consider zoning and land use policy revisions, explore public-private partnerships, identify financial incentives and tax credits for agricultural employers, and study feasibility of state income tax credits for agricultural workforce housing investors.

Requires interim report to legislature by twenty days before 2027 regular session and final report by twenty days before 2028 regular session, with working group dissolved on June 30, 2028.

Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to cover data gathering, reporting, consultation fees, and related expenses; effective date July 1, 2050.