Notice: Legislature Closure on Friday, March 13 Due to the severe weather, the Hawai’i State Legislature will be closed on Friday, March 13, 2026. All Senate and House committee hearings scheduled for March 13 will be postponed and floor sessions in both chambers will not convene.
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Ka 'Aha'ōlelo Moku'āina 'O Hawai'i

Measure Title: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
Report Title: BAB; Bona Fide Farmer; Bona Fide Agricultural Activity; Definitions; Report
Description: Requires the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop and adopt a multi-tiered, matrix-based assessment framework to develop definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity" to be codified into the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Requires the Board to collaborate with stakeholders to draft the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Companion:
Package: None
Current Referral: AGR, FIN
Introducer(s): RICHARDS, KIDANI, MCKELVEY, Fukunaga, Hashimoto, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura, Wakai
Act:

Sort by DateChamberStatus Text
3/12/2026HReferred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 17
3/12/2026HPass First Reading
3/10/2026HReceived from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 183) in amended form (SD 2).
3/10/2026SReport Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Awa). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
3/6/2026S48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
3/6/2026SReported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2942) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
3/3/2026SThe committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.
2/27/2026SThe committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:17AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2/11/2026SReport adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2/11/2026SReported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2187) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
1/28/2026SThe committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.
1/23/2026SThe committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
1/22/2026SReferred to AEN, WAM.
1/21/2026SIntroduced and passed First Reading.
1/14/2026SPending Introduction.

S = Senate | H = House | D = Data Systems | $ = Appropriation measure | ConAm = Constitutional Amendment

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SB2153 SD2

All Versions of this Measure

SB2153_SD2 Link to SB2153_SD2 .PDF file
SB2153_SD1 Link to SB2153_SD1 .PDF file
SB2153 Link to SB2153 .PDF file

Committee Reports

SB2153_SD1_SSCR2187_ Link to committee report SB2153_SD1_SSCR2187_ .PDF file
SB2153_SD2_SSCR2942_ Link to committee report SB2153_SD2_SSCR2942_ .PDF file

Testimony

SB2153_TESTIMONY_AEN_01-28-26_
SB2153_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_03-03-26_

Hearing Notices

AEN
1/28/26 3:00P
CR 224 & Videoconference
WAM
3/03/26 10:17A
CR 211 & Videoconference