The House Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems on April 11, 2025, voted in decision-making session to adopt a package of concurrent resolutions that urge state and federal action on a range of agricultural issues, from a microbial soil-products pilot to county biosecurity planning.

The measures, considered during the committee’s 10:30 a.m. hearing in Room 325 and finalized at a later decision-making meeting the same day, were approved with no recorded opposition from members present. Several measures drew in-person and written testimony from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the Agribusiness Development Corporation and industry and conservation groups.

The resolutions guide executive-branch agencies and Hawaii’s congressional delegation rather than creating binding law. Committee members adopted amendments to one resolution to shift designated administrative responsibility from the Department of Agriculture to the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

On the microbial soil-products pilot (SCR 88), Cedric Gates of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture said the department “stands on its written testimony offering, supporting the intent.” The committee chair recommended passage and recorded no objections; Representative Quinlan was excused for the decision-making session.

The committee amended SCR 139 to change the responsible agency for designating a Central Oʻahu Agricultural Corridor from the Department of Agriculture to the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC). Stephanie Wayman, representing Kunia Village Agricultural Worker Housing, urged support and described the corridor concept as a way to “put together” the pieces farmers need. “Agriculture is a business, and I think you understand that, but it’s a complicated business,” Wayman said, adding that corridor planning should consider land, water, labor, transportation, marketing and warehousing.

SCR 90 requests that ADC assume routine maintenance and repair of the Kohala Ditch; both the Department of Agriculture and ADC appeared in support during testimony. SCR 141 urges the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with ADC on USDA grant opportunities; ADC’s Wendy Gady and Department of Agriculture representatives signaled support in testimony.

The committee also approved SCR 164 SD1 to authorize rodeos on land zoned for agricultural use. Nicole Galassi of the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council testified in support and asked the committee to expand authorizing language to include livestock events, 4-H activities and cow-horse competitions, saying rodeos “are key in building the skills needed for cattle production in Hawaii.” The record noted 12 supporters, zero opposing and one comment for the measure.

Conservation and invasive-species policy drew comment on SCR 41 SD1, which encourages counties to establish county-level biosecurity plans. Christy Martin of the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) said counties in Hawaii face legal limits compared with other states and would benefit from planning that can articulate county biosecurity needs and possible local legislation.

Other resolutions passed without substantive debate or with brief comments: SCR 94 SD1 (deer overpopulation on Maui and other islands), SCR 56 (urging the U.S. government to develop a national biodiversity strategy), and SCR 34 SD1 (urging Hawaii’s congressional delegation to seek parity from USDA on export rules and processes for Hawaii products).

Votes at a glance: the committee adopted the chair’s recommendation on all measures considered in decision making. For SCR 88 the clerk recorded that Chair Kahalua and Vice Chair Matthias Kush voted aye; Representative Loewen and Representative Peruso also registered “aye” during that roll call and Representative Quinlan was excused. For the other measures, the committee proceeded on the chair’s recommendations and recorded no objections from members present; the record notes Representative Quinlan as excused for the decision-making session.

The committee concluded its hearing and decision-making and indicated the measures will proceed to the next steps in the legislative process, including potential conference and further agency action.