Bill > SB1257

This bill establishes a permanent Agricultural Crimes Task Force within the Department of Agriculture to address agricultural crime in Hawaii, comprised of representatives from various government agencies, agricultural organizations, law enforcement, and academia. The task force will develop strategies to prevent agricultural crimes, coordinate with law enforcement and prosecutors, recommend legislation, provide education and outreach, and submit annual reports to the legislature. Additionally, the bill creates a new criminal offense called "agricultural crime" which applies to individuals committing property crimes on agricultural property, with penalties ranging from a fine of up to $2,000 and/or one year imprisonment for a first offense, to a fine of at least $10,000 and/or up to five years imprisonment for subsequent offenses. The bill defines agricultural property as farming assets used for agricultural production, including land, buildings, equipment, livestock, and crops. The legislation also includes an appropriation of funds for the task force's operational costs and is named "Duke's Law" in memory of Cranston "Duke" Pia, highlighting the significant economic and safety impacts of agricultural crimes on individual farmers and the state's broader agricultural sector.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1257&year=2026