Bill > SB763

This bill establishes an Agricultural Enforcement Program within Hawaii's Department of Law Enforcement to address agricultural theft and related crimes, which have been significant issues in the state. The program will create a specialized unit focused on investigating agricultural product theft, with an assistant chief administrator and both full-time and volunteer state law enforcement officers. The bill creates an Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund to support the program, which can receive grants, donations, fees, and legislative appropriations, and will be used for activities like training, equipment, research, and enforcement operations. The fund will specifically support the program's efforts to investigate offenses related to agricultural theft, gather evidence, conduct field observations, and cooperate with federal, state, and county enforcement authorities. The legislation allocates positions across Hawaii's counties, including one assistant chief, multiple state law enforcement investigators (two per county), and uniformed patrol officers (eight each for Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui counties, and twelve for Honolulu). The bill was motivated by data showing significant agricultural theft costs (approximately $14.4 million in 2019) and a specific incident involving a rancher's death, highlighting the need for dedicated agricultural crime enforcement. The program aims to increase law enforcement capacity and community safety by prioritizing agricultural crime prevention and investigation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=763&year=2026