Bill > SB1607

This bill aims to expand legal protections for farmers and ranchers under Hawaii's castle doctrine by amending the definitions of "dwelling" and "place of work" in Chapter 703 of Hawaii Revised Statutes. Specifically, the bill adds agricultural land to the definition of "dwelling," allowing it to include land used as a residence or place of lodging, and creates a new definition for "place of work" that explicitly includes agricultural land. The legislature recognizes that farmers and ranchers have experienced dangerous encounters with intruders on their property and seeks to provide legal clarity about when they can justifiably use force to protect themselves. Under the current law, the castle doctrine allows individuals to use deadly force without first attempting to retreat when threatened in their dwelling or place of work, but previously did not clearly include agricultural lands in these definitions. By expanding these definitions, the bill provides farmers and ranchers with the same legal protections against intruders as those applied to individuals in traditional buildings or residences. The bill will take effect upon approval and does not impact any legal rights or proceedings that occurred before its enactment.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1607&year=2025