SB 2153HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii agriculture department will convene group to define genuine farming

The law directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to convene state and farm representatives to recommend farmer definitions and report to the Legislature before the 2028 session.

What it does

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity must convene a group to recommend definitions for genuine farmers and farming activities, considering farms at different stages and scales.

Argument forConsidering farms at different stages and scales could help the group recommend definitions that recognize varied farming operations and discourage land speculation.

Argument againstEven with required consideration of different farm types, the group’s proposed tiers might still overlook some farmers whose operations do not fit neatly into them.

More detail

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity must convene a working group to develop tiered, matrix-based definitions of “bona fide farmer” and “bona fide agricultural activity.” The group will consider entry-level and transitional farms, small-scale and diversified farms, commercial and professional farms, and corporate and institutional agricultural enterprises. The group must consider four tiers, from entry-level and small-scale farms to commercial, corporate, and institutional operations, and assess whether the system can work for different types of farming. The group includes the chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity or a designee, the chairperson of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees or a designee, and representatives invited from four Hawaii farming organizations. The chair may invite other interested organizations with relevant experience. Members serve without pay but must be reimbursed for reasonable expenses. The group must report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than 20 days before the 2028 regular session. It ends on June 30, 2028.

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Where it stands

IntroducedJan 14
Passed SenateMar 10
Passed HouseApr 9
To GovernorMay 7
Became LawJun 26

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jun 26Act 167, 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1269).Latest
2. Jun 26Act 167, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1269).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Enrolled to Governor.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 as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 32-26).
10. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26.
11. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 32-26) as amended in (CD 1).
12. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 05-01-26.
13. Apr 28The 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
  - 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 28The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
15. Apr 24Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
16. Apr 23Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 11:00AM; Conference Room 325.
17. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Chun, Kusch Co-Chairs; Kahaloa, Matsumoto.
18. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).Minor
19. Apr 20Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Richards Co-Chair; DeCoite.
20. Apr 20Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 714).Minor
21. Apr 10Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 502).Minor
22. Apr 10Senate disagrees with House amendments.Minor
23. Apr 10Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 564).Minor
24. Apr 9Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1998-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
25. Apr 9Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
26. Apr 7The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Morikawa.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
27. Apr 2The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 04-07-26.Minor
28. Apr 2Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 04-07-26 10:10AM in conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
29. Mar 31Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 04-02-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
30. Mar 24Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1389-26) 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
31. Mar 24Passed 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) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).Minor
32. Mar 20The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Lowen, Perruso, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Quinlan.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
33. Mar 17Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Friday, 03-20-26 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
34. Mar 12Pass First ReadingMinor
35. Mar 12Referred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 17Minor
36. Mar 10Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
37. Mar 10Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 183) in amended form (SD 2).Minor
38. Mar 6Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2942) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
39. Mar 648 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
40. Mar 3The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
41. Feb 27The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:17AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
42. Feb 11Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2187) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
43. Feb 11Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
44. Jan 28The 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, DeCoite, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
45. Jan 23The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
46. Jan 22Referred to AEN, WAM.Minor
47. Jan 21Introduced and passed First Reading.Minor
48. Jan 14Pending Introduction.Introduced

Agriculture

Issue with this bill?

SB 2153HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii agriculture department will convene group to define genuine farming

The law directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to convene state and farm representatives to recommend farmer definitions and report to the Legislature before the 2028 session.

What it does

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity must convene a group to recommend definitions for genuine farmers and farming activities, considering farms at different stages and scales.

Argument forConsidering farms at different stages and scales could help the group recommend definitions that recognize varied farming operations and discourage land speculation.

Argument againstEven with required consideration of different farm types, the group’s proposed tiers might still overlook some farmers whose operations do not fit neatly into them.

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 14
Passed SenateMar 10
Passed HouseApr 9
To GovernorMay 7
Became LawJun 26

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jun 26Act 167, 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1269).Latest
2. Jun 26Act 167, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1269).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Enrolled to Governor.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 as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 32-26).
10. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26.
11. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 32-26) as amended in (CD 1).
12. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 05-01-26.
13. Apr 28The 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
  - 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 28The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
15. Apr 24Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
16. Apr 23Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 11:00AM; Conference Room 325.
17. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Chun, Kusch Co-Chairs; Kahaloa, Matsumoto.
18. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).Minor
19. Apr 20Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Richards Co-Chair; DeCoite.
20. Apr 20Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 714).Minor
21. Apr 10Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 502).Minor
22. Apr 10Senate disagrees with House amendments.Minor
23. Apr 10Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 564).Minor
24. Apr 9Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1998-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
25. Apr 9Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
26. Apr 7The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Morikawa.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
27. Apr 2The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 04-07-26.Minor
28. Apr 2Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 04-07-26 10:10AM in conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
29. Mar 31Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 04-02-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
30. Mar 24Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1389-26) 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
31. Mar 24Passed 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) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2).Minor
32. Mar 20The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Lowen, Perruso, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Quinlan.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
33. Mar 17Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Friday, 03-20-26 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
34. Mar 12Pass First ReadingMinor
35. Mar 12Referred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 17Minor
36. Mar 10Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
37. Mar 10Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 183) in amended form (SD 2).Minor
38. Mar 6Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2942) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
39. Mar 648 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
40. Mar 3The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
41. Feb 27The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:17AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
42. Feb 11Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2187) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
43. Feb 11Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
44. Jan 28The 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, DeCoite, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
45. Jan 23The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
46. Jan 22Referred to AEN, WAM.Minor
47. Jan 21Introduced and passed First Reading.Minor
48. Jan 14Pending Introduction.Introduced

Agriculture

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