HB 782 Summary

• Establishes a working group within the Department of Agriculture to review and recommend amendments or repeals of unnecessary or obsolete agricultural laws in Hawaii.

• Working group composition includes the chairperson of the board of agriculture (as chair), representatives from state agencies (board of land and natural resources, business/economic development/tourism, agribusiness development corporation, land use commission, water resource management commission, office of planning and sustainable development), all four county mayors' offices, and invited representatives from Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and Hawaii Farmers Union United.

• Working group must specifically review restrictions on state agricultural land leases regarding residences and raising poultry/swine, agricultural loan rate caps, farm labor regulations, water access and permitting, and procurement policies for locally grown food in state institutions, though review is not limited to these areas.

• Working group shall submit findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2026 regular session and shall cease to exist on June 30, 2026.

• Appropriates general revenues for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the working group (specific amount blank in bill) and takes effect July 1, 2050.