HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION OF 2026
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Rep. Cory M. Chun, Chair |
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Rep. Matthias Kusch, Vice Chair |
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Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa |
Rep. Sean Quinlan |
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Rep. Nicole E. Lowen |
Rep. Lauren Matsumoto |
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Rep. Amy A. Perruso |
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NOTICE OF HEARING
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DATE: |
Wednesday, February 4, 2026 |
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TIME: |
9:00 AM |
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PLACE: |
VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE Conference Room 325 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street |
Click here to submit testimony and to testify remotely or in person.
A live stream link of all House Standing Committee meetings will be available online
shortly before the scheduled start time.
Click here for the live stream of this meeting via YouTube.
A G E N D A
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RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Exempts any agricultural enterprise practicing diversified agriculture on lands formerly used for commercial sugarcane production within the conservation district from any permitting and site plan approval requirements established for lands in a conservation district.
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AGR, WAL, JHA |
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RELATING TO PLANTS. Requires persons who sell or offer plants for sale at retail to provide information on the risk of invasiveness of the plant species. Requires the Invasive Species Council to develop a labeling system for plants that displays the plants' weed risk assessments. Establishes fines for violations. Effective 1/1/2027.
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AGR, CPC, JHA |
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RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. Establishes a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College and the Department of Human Resources Development. Requires a report to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031.
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AGR, HED, FIN |
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RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. For taxable years beginning 1/1/2027, amends the Important Agricultural Land Qualified Agricultural Cost Tax Credit to: (1) include Hawaiian home lands designated for subsistence agriculture, supplemental agriculture, or pastoral in the definition of "important agricultural lands"; and (2) expand the definition of "qualified agricultural costs" to include costs relating to the planting of orchard or fruit-bearing crops, or expenditures related to the clearing of former sugar and pineapple plantation lands.
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AGR, JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Establishes a State Noxious Weed Coordinator and updates the process for designating and managing noxious weeds. Allows public proposals to add or remove noxious weed designations. Requires notice and public reporting. Clarifies the authority of the Department and Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Authorizes updates to the noxious weed list by order, classifies noxious weeds into three categories. Strengthens enforcement and penalties. Updates departmental duties for noxious weed control and eradication.
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AGR, JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO ANIMAL CONTROL. Establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation, including the free-roaming cat population, and authorizes an income tax designation to provide revenues into the special fund. Requires cats over the age of five months to be surgically sterilized and prohibits cats that are not surgically sterilized from being brought into the State, with certain exceptions. Appropriates funds.
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AGR, JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO ANIMAL IMPORTATION. Requires, as a condition of entry into the State, documentation verifying that any dog or cat imported into the State has been surgically sterilized, subject to certain exemptions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a breeder registry and adopt rules.
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AGR, JHA |
DECISION MAKING
The following measure(s) were previously heard on January 30, 2026 at 9:30 AM. No public testimony will be accepted.
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RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS. For purposes of permissible uses in agricultural districts, establishes minimum requirements for income received from agricultural activity for a family occupying a farm dwelling. Provides that the definition of a "farm dwelling" includes agricultural activity that is considered a farming operation under section 165-2, HRS, and is conducted on more than 50 per cent of the entire lot.
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AGR, WAL, FIN |
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DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW
Persons wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. Testimony received after this time will be stamped late and left to the discretion of the chair to consider. While every effort will be made to incorporate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed, may not be processed.
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FOR AMENDED NOTICES: Measures that have been deleted are stricken through and measures that have been added are bolded.
For more information, please contact the Committee Clerk at (808) 586-6170.
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________________________________________ Rep. Cory Chun Chair |
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