Committee votes to advance five‑year agriculture and biosecurity workforce pilot

The House Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems voted to pass HB2573 as a house draft 1 on Feb. 4, 2026. The bill would establish a five‑year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity in collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi–Leeward Community College and the Department of Human Resources Development, and would require a report to the Legislature; the pilot would sunset on June 30, 2031.

DHERD staff (Brenna Hashimoto) said DHERD supports the bill’s intent but requested clarity on the department’s responsibilities. Carlos Panalozzo (Leeward Community College chancellor) and Department of Agriculture representatives expressed support and stood on written testimony. Committee amendments clarify DHERD’s role, add the Department of Law Enforcement to the pilot’s collaborating agencies for training and enforcement‑related components, and set a placeholder effective date for further technical review.

The chair called the recommendation to pass with amendments and the committee approved the motion. Committee members signaled interest in ensuring the pilot’s curriculum and compensation levels are adequate to recruit technicians for new biosecurity inspector roles.