Bill > SB1249

This bill establishes a comprehensive Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program designed to address agricultural crimes and strengthen protections for farmers and agricultural lands in Hawaii. The bill creates a new pilot program within the Department of Law Enforcement on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii, with dedicated personnel including an assistant chief and law enforcement officers focused on investigating agricultural theft and related offenses. The legislation introduces new administrative and criminal penalties for various agricultural-related violations, such as unauthorized entry onto agricultural lands, improper livestock handling, brand tampering, and hunting on private agricultural property. Key provisions include establishing clear distinctions between administrative and criminal penalties, creating new definitions for agricultural lands, and implementing stricter consequences for repeat offenders. The bill appropriates nearly $950,000 to fund nine new positions (one assistant chief, two investigators, and six uniformed officers) and provides detailed guidelines for enforcement, including the ability to collect fines, impound property, and pursue both civil and criminal actions. The pilot program aims to protect farmers' livelihoods, preserve food security, and maintain the integrity of Hawaii's agricultural industry by creating a more robust legal framework for addressing agricultural crimes.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1249&year=2025