HI HB2155

Establishes an Agricultural Statistics Program within the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to collect, analyze, and report data on intra- and inter-island transportation of fresh fruit and vegetable products

Requires the department to develop electronic data collection systems and conduct rotating sector-specific surveys covering agricultural theft, agritourism, aquaculture, coffee, livestock, tropical fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural activities

Responds to a 30% reduction in USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service personnel since January 2025, which has shifted federal surveys to focus only on national-level data

Protects collected data as confidential and exempt from public disclosure under Hawaii's open records law, while permitting release of aggregate statistics that do not identify individuals or entities

Appropriates general fund money for FY 2026-2027 to hire agricultural economists and research statisticians, establish offices on six islands, develop data systems, and contract specialty surveys (specific dollar amounts left blank in bill)