Bill > SB762

This bill establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Crimes Council to address the growing challenges of agricultural crimes in the state. The council will be placed within the Department of Agriculture and will comprise representatives from various state and county agencies, agricultural producers, environmental organizations, and community members. Its primary responsibilities include developing a comprehensive agricultural crime prevention program, creating a centralized database for tracking agricultural crimes, examining existing laws, and recommending legislative improvements. The council will appoint investigators with law enforcement powers (but without firearms) to focus specifically on agricultural crimes, develop a reporting system for swift crime recovery, and create public awareness campaigns about agricultural crime prevention. The bill also requires the Department of Agriculture to collaborate closely with the council, sharing information, providing technical assistance, and supporting joint efforts to combat agricultural crimes. To support these efforts, the bill establishes an Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund and appropriates funds to create positions for an executive director, staff assistant, and two deputy inspectors. The council will be required to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing its progress, initiatives, and recommendations, with the ultimate goal of protecting Hawaii's agricultural industry and improving law enforcement's response to agricultural-related criminal activities.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=762&year=2026