summary
Introduced
01/21/2025
01/21/2025
In Committee
04/25/2025
04/25/2025
Crossed Over
02/27/2025
02/27/2025
Passed
06/27/2025
06/27/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/27/2025
06/27/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Part I: Renames the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Department) and the Board of Agriculture as the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Part II: Establishes a Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity. Part III: Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Part IV: Authorizes the Department to establish transitional facilities. Requires the Department to certify and train biosecurity compliance auditors to inspect imported plants and animals. Requires inspection of various items transported interisland. Increases penalties for illegally transporting plants, animals, and microorganisms. Part V: Authorizes the Department to enter into governmentindustry agreements for readiness and response to unwanted organisms in the State. Authorizes biosecurity and pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests. Requires the Department to establish a pest dashboard by 12/1/2025. Part VI: Authorizes the Department to adopt rules to establish and enforce the Plant Care Component Program. Authorizes the Department to assess administrative penalties for the enforcement of the Plant Care Component Program. Part VII: Transfers the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department. Part VIII: Appropriates funds. (CD1)
AI Summary
This bill comprehensively reforms Hawaii's biosecurity and agricultural oversight by renaming the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, establishing new programs and authorities to prevent the introduction and spread of pests and harmful organisms. The bill creates a new Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity position, authorizes the department to declare biosecurity emergencies with broad powers during such emergencies, and establishes transitional facilities where imported goods can be inspected away from ports of entry. The bill also introduces new government-industry agreements for pest readiness and response, mandates the creation of a public pest dashboard by December 1, 2025, and transfers the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the new Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Additionally, the legislation increases penalties for illegally transporting plants, animals, and microorganisms, requires certification of plant care component treatments, and provides new rulemaking authority for the department to establish and enforce biosecurity protocols. The bill includes appropriations for various invasive species and biosecurity programs, with different sections of the legislation taking effect at different times between the bill's approval and January 1, 2030.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice
Sponsors (41)
Terez Amato (D)*,
Della Belatti (D)*,
Cory Chun (D)*,
Elle Cochran (D)*,
Luke Evslin (D)*,
Rachele Fernandez Lamosao (D)*,
Andrew Garrett (D)*,
Tina Grandinetti (D)*,
Mark Hashem (D)*,
Daniel Holt (D)*,
Ikaika Hussey (D)*,
Linda Ichiyama (D)*,
Greggor Ilagan (D)*,
Kim Iwamoto (D)*,
Kirstin Kahaloa (D)*,
Jeanné Kapela (D)*,
Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D)*,
Darius Kila (D)*,
Lisa Kitagawa (D)*,
Matthias Kusch (D)*,
Trish La Chica (D)*,
Michael Lee (D)*,
Nicole Lowen (D)*,
Lisa Marten (D)*,
Scot Matayoshi (D)*,
Tyson Miyake (D)*,
Dee Morikawa (D)*,
Nadine Nakamura (D)*,
Ikaika Olds (D)*,
Amy Perruso (D)*,
Mahina Poepoe (D)*,
Sean Quinlan (D)*,
Jackson Sayama (D)*,
Gregg Takayama (D)*,
Jenna Takenouchi (D)*,
Adrian Tam (D)*,
David Tarnas (D)*,
Shirley Ann Templo (D)*,
Chris Todd (D)*,
Justin Woodson (D)*,
Kyle Yamashita (D)*,
Last Action
Act 236, on 06/27/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1338). (on 06/27/2025)
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