[§353C-16]  Agricultural enforcement pilot program.  [Section repealed July 1, 2028.  L 2025, c 235, §47.]  (a)  There shall be established within the department an agricultural enforcement pilot program on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii, to be implemented at the discretion of the deputy director of law enforcement.  The department shall employ or appoint, and remove, the following persons, subject to chapter 76 and section 78-1:

     (1)  An assistant chief, who shall be the administrator of the agricultural enforcement pilot program and shall have charge, direction, and control, subject to the direction or control of the deputy director, of all matters relating to the enforcement of an offense listed in section 708-835.55 involving theft of an agricultural product or commodity and any other matters as determined by the deputy director.  The assistant chief shall be an administrator experienced in addressing agricultural theft; and

     (2)  Personnel, state law enforcement officers, and investigators, including but not limited to state law enforcement officers serving on a voluntary basis without pay.

     (b)  In addition to all police powers and duties, state law enforcement officers in the agricultural enforcement pilot program shall:

     (1)  Focus on offenses under sections 708-830.5, 708-831, 708-832, and 708-833 that involve the theft of an agricultural product or commodity;

     (2)  Gather evidence, conduct investigations, and conduct field observations, as required or assigned;

     (3)  Cooperate with any enforcement authorities of the federal, state, or county government in the development of programs and mutual aid agreements for agricultural activities within the State; and

     (4)  Carry out other duties and responsibilities as determined by the deputy director.

     (c)  The department shall enter into memoranda of agreement with the division of conservation and resources enforcement of the department of land and natural resources and each county police department, as necessary, to effectuate the purposes of this section.

     (d)  For purposes of this section, "deputy director" means the deputy director of law enforcement. [L 2025, c 235, §3]