HB 2246HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii’s agriculture agency can use federal reimbursements for grant work

Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity can use federal payments that repay shared grant management costs to support grant searches, applications, and oversight.

What it does

Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity can keep federal payments that repay shared grant management costs in a dedicated fund. The money pays for pursuing and overseeing grants.

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity has a grant program to find, apply for, and manage federal agricultural grants that could benefit Hawaii’s agricultural industry.

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity must give lawmakers a yearly report on the grant fund, including the federal grants it applied for and received.

Argument forKeeping federal reimbursements available for grant work could help Hawaii’s agriculture agency pursue more funding and meet grant requirements.

Argument againstSpending reimbursements on consultants and temporary staff could leave less money for other grant management work.

More detail

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity may keep and spend federal payments that repay shared overhead costs of managing grants. The fund pays for grant searches, applications, and oversight, including checks that grant rules are followed and spending is audited. The board of agriculture and biosecurity’s chairperson determines which grants qualify for retaining and spending these reimbursements. The department’s share must go into a dedicated fund in the state treasury. The fund may also pay for consultants and operating costs, including temporary staff. These provisions took effect on July 1, 2026.

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s agricultural grant program must search for federal grants, apply for them, and manage them. The program covers federal agricultural grant opportunities that could benefit Hawaii’s agricultural industry. The program provisions took effect on July 1, 2026.

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity must report to the legislature each year on the dedicated grant fund. The report covers the status of the agricultural grant fund. The report must include federal agricultural grant applications submitted and grant awards received. The reporting requirement took effect on July 1, 2026. Reports are due no later than 20 days before each regular legislative session begins.

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More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 26
Passed HouseMar 6
Passed SenateApr 10
To Governor
Became LawJun 5

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jun 5Act 101, 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1201).Latest
2. Jun 5Act 101, on 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1201).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 5Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).Minor
7. May 1Deferred one day 05-06-26.Minor
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Result: pass.Upper
8. May 1Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).Major
9. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 18-26) as amended in (CD 1).
10. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 05-01-26.
11. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 18-26).
12. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26
13. Apr 27Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 760).Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
14. Apr 27The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
15. Apr 27The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
16. Apr 24Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Richards Co-Chair; DeCoite.
17. Apr 24Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-27-26 9:15AM; Conference Room 325.
18. Apr 21House Conferees Appointed: Chun, Kusch Co-Chairs; Matsumoto.
19. Apr 21Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 799).Minor
20. Apr 16Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 599).Minor
21. Apr 14House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
22. Apr 10Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
23. Apr 10Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 550) in amended form (SD 1).
24. Apr 9Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3630) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
25. Apr 9One Day Notice 04-10-26.
26. Apr 7The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
27. Apr 2The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-07-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
28. Mar 30Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3224) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
29. Mar 30Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
30. Mar 23The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
31. Mar 20The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
32. Mar 10Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 198).Minor
33. Mar 10Passed First Reading.Minor
34. Mar 10Referred to AEN, WAM.Minor
35. Mar 6Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 921-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
36. Mar 6Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso, Sayama excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
37. Mar 3The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
38. Feb 27Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
39. Feb 17Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 323-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
40. Feb 17Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lee, M., Poepoe excused (3).Minor
41. Feb 11The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Perruso, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Lowen, Quinlan.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
42. Feb 6Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Wednesday, 02-11-26 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
43. Jan 30Referred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 5Minor
44. Jan 28Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
45. Jan 26Pending introduction.Introduced

AgricultureTaxes & Budget

Issue with this bill?

HB 2246HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii’s agriculture agency can use federal reimbursements for grant work

Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity can use federal payments that repay shared grant management costs to support grant searches, applications, and oversight.

What it does

Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity can keep federal payments that repay shared grant management costs in a dedicated fund. The money pays for pursuing and overseeing grants.

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity has a grant program to find, apply for, and manage federal agricultural grants that could benefit Hawaii’s agricultural industry.

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity must give lawmakers a yearly report on the grant fund, including the federal grants it applied for and received.

Argument forKeeping federal reimbursements available for grant work could help Hawaii’s agriculture agency pursue more funding and meet grant requirements.

Argument againstSpending reimbursements on consultants and temporary staff could leave less money for other grant management work.

More detail

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 26
Passed HouseMar 6
Passed SenateApr 10
To Governor
Became LawJun 5

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jun 5Act 101, 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1201).Latest
2. Jun 5Act 101, on 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1201).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 5Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).Minor
7. May 1Deferred one day 05-06-26.Minor
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Result: pass.Upper
8. May 1Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).Major
9. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 18-26) as amended in (CD 1).
10. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 05-01-26.
11. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 18-26).
12. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26
13. Apr 27Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 760).Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
14. Apr 27The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
15. Apr 27The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
16. Apr 24Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Richards Co-Chair; DeCoite.
17. Apr 24Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-27-26 9:15AM; Conference Room 325.
18. Apr 21House Conferees Appointed: Chun, Kusch Co-Chairs; Matsumoto.
19. Apr 21Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 799).Minor
20. Apr 16Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 599).Minor
21. Apr 14House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
22. Apr 10Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
23. Apr 10Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 550) in amended form (SD 1).
24. Apr 9Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3630) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
25. Apr 9One Day Notice 04-10-26.
26. Apr 7The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
27. Apr 2The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-07-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
28. Mar 30Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3224) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
29. Mar 30Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
30. Mar 23The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
31. Mar 20The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
32. Mar 10Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 198).Minor
33. Mar 10Passed First Reading.Minor
34. Mar 10Referred to AEN, WAM.Minor
35. Mar 6Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 921-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
36. Mar 6Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso, Sayama excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
37. Mar 3The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
38. Feb 27Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
39. Feb 17Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 323-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
40. Feb 17Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lee, M., Poepoe excused (3).Minor
41. Feb 11The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Perruso, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Lowen, Quinlan.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
42. Feb 6Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Wednesday, 02-11-26 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
43. Jan 30Referred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 5Minor
44. Jan 28Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
45. Jan 26Pending introduction.Introduced

AgricultureTaxes & Budget

Issue with this bill?

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History