Bill > SB661

This bill appropriates funding from Hawaii's general revenues to the Department of Agriculture to establish and support programs focused on developing innovative, plant-based building materials, specifically biocements, hemp-based, and bamboo-based construction materials. The funding will cover a two-year period (fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027) and will support various activities including educational seminars, equipment fairs, and approved seed sales related to these sustainable building material technologies. The department is authorized to expend the allocated funds for these purposes, with the goal of advancing research, education, and commercialization of plant-based construction materials. While the bill specifies the funding and activities, it notably sets a distant future effective date of July 1, 2050, which is unusual and may suggest this is a speculative or forward-looking legislative initiative. The bill represents an investment in emerging sustainable construction technologies that could potentially reduce environmental impact and offer alternative building materials.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=661&year=2025