Informing the Legislature that on June 5, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2246 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 101).

This bill establishes a formal agricultural grant program and a revolving fund within the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to better manage federal funding. The new program allows the department to keep and use indirect overhead reimbursements from federal grants to cover costs like searching for new opportunities, developing applications, monitoring projects, and auditing expenditures. Additionally, the revolving fund can be used to hire temporary staff and pay for consultant services to support these grant activities. The department will be required to submit an annual report to the legislature detailing the status of the fund and grants received. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026.