# Hawaii HB 427: RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Hawaii HB 427, RELATING TO BIOSECURITY., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) House bill sponsored by Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic); status signed, last action 2025-06-27 (Act 236, 06/27/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1338).) (as of 2026-10-27).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB427-2025
- As of: 2026-10-27
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 427
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-17
- Last action: 2025-06-27, Act 236, 06/27/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1338).
- Sponsor: Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 41
- Subjects: DOA, Biosecurity Emergency Declaration, Quarantine, Transitional Facilities, Certified Biosecurity Compliance Auditors, Penalties, Readiness and Response Agreements, Pest Dashboard, Biosecurity and Pest Management Plans, Plant Care Component Program, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Rules, Appropriations, AEN/TCA/CPN, WAM/JDC
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 14 (230 yes, 5 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 6

## Summary

Part I: Renames the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Department) and the Board of Agriculture as the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Part II: Establishes a Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity. Part III: Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Part IV: Authorizes the Department to establish transitional facilities. Requires the Department to certify and train biosecurity compliance auditors to inspect imported plants and animals. Requires inspection of various items transported interisland. Increases penalties for illegally transporting plants, animals, and microorganisms. Part V: Authorizes the Department to enter into government‑industry agreements for readiness and response to unwanted organisms in the State. Authorizes biosecurity and pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests. Requires the Department to establish a pest dashboard by 12/1/2025. Part VI: Authorizes the Department to adopt rules to establish and enforce the Plant Care Component Program. Authorizes the Department to assess administrative penalties for the enforcement of the Plant Care Component Program. Part VII: Transfers the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department. Part VIII: Appropriates funds. (CD1)

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- More state action against pest threats: benefit, low. The department’s goals now include surveying for pests and restricted organisms, stopping their entry and unpermitted movement between islands, and controlling or removing them after entry. The department also expands public education about pest risks and reporting suspected organisms in imported p…
- Emergency powers for biosecurity threats: mixed, medium. The department can declare a biosecurity emergency with the governor’s approval when a serious threat meets the law’s conditions. An emergency lasts 100 days unless extended with the governor’s approval. During an emergency, the governor can move money to the department, and the state can requisiti…
- Fines and costs for biosecurity violations: mixed, medium. Covered biosecurity violations carry fines of $100 to $10,000; a second violation within five years carries fines of $500 to $25,000. Specified violations involving restricted organisms can bring misdemeanor fines of $5,000 to $20,000, while certain intentional conduct can bring a class C felony an…
- New inspection rules for shippers: mixed, medium. Specified plants, animals, soil, and related items moved between islands must meet inspection, labeling, and shipment-information rules. Items that have not been inspected must be held, and owners or agents pay required inspection, treatment, quarantine, or destruction costs. Importers may have to…
- Public pest dashboard and data rules: mixed, low. The agriculture department must launch a public pest dashboard by December 1, 2025, with regularly updated, real-time information about treatment areas for designated pests. State and local entities, and covered contractors, must provide required information. Entities that fail to provide it may no…
- New rules for plant care materials: mixed, low. The department can set treatment, certification, fee, and other rules for plant care materials. Out-of-state materials can be distributed after treatment before arrival, or after treatment and department certification in Hawaii. The board can fine someone up to $10,000 per violation. Before a fine,…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Nadine K. Nakamura (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Terez Amato (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Della Au Belatti (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Cory M. Chun (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Elle Cochran (Republican), House
- Cosponsor: Luke A. Evslin (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Andrew Takuya Garrett (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Tina Nakada Grandinetti (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Mark J. Hashem (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Daniel Holt (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Ikaika Hussey (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Linda Ichiyama (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Greggor Ilagan (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Kim Coco Iwamoto (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jeanne Kapela (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY
- Cosponsor: Darius K. Kila (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Lisa Kitagawa (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Matthias Kusch (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: LA CHICA
- Cosponsor: LAMOSAO
- Cosponsor: Mike Lee (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Nicole E. Lowen (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: M.
- Cosponsor: Lisa Marten (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Scot Z. Matayoshi (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Tyson K. Miyake (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Dee Morikawa (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Ikaika Olds (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Amy A. Perruso (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Mahina Poepoe (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Sean Quinlan (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jackson D. Sayama (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Gregg Takayama (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jenna Takenouchi (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Adrian K. Tam (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: David A. Tarnas (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Shirley Ann Templo (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Chris Todd (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Justin H. Woodson (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Kyle T. Yamashita (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-04-30 | House | House Floor Vote | pass | 45 | 5 |   |
| 2025-04-25 | Senate | The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.... | pass | 4 | 0 |   |
| 2025-04-25 | House | The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments.... | pass | 4 | 0 |   |
| 2025-04-08 | Senate | Senate Floor Vote | pass | 25 | 0 |   |
| 2025-04-01 | Senate | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 11 | 0 |   |
| 2025-04-01 | Senate | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |
| 2025-03-18 | Senate | The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 4 | 0 |   |
| 2025-03-18 | Senate | The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 4 | 0 |   |
| 2025-03-18 | Senate | The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |
| 2025-02-27 | House | House Floor Vote | pass | 47 | 0 |   |
| 2025-02-20 | House | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ... | pass | 14 | 0 |   |
| 2025-02-11 | House | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 9 | 0 |   |
| 2025-02-04 | House | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA... | pass | 48 | 0 |   |
| 2025-01-29 | House | The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |

## Actions (54)

- 2025-06-27: Act 236, 06/27/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1338). (Senate)
- 2025-06-27: Act 236, on 06/27/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1338). (House)
- 2025-05-02: Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 821). (Senate)
- 2025-05-01: Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 888). (House)
- 2025-05-01: Transmitted to Governor. (House)
- 2025-04-30: Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2025-04-30: Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Iwamoto, Marten voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (5) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). (House)
- 2025-04-25: The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Lee, C., Wakai, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole, Awa. (Senate)
- 2025-04-25: The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Tarnas, Yamashita, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Quinlan. (House)
- 2025-04-25: Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 220) as amended in (CD 1). (House)
- 2025-04-25: Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 04-30-25. (House)
- 2025-04-25: Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 220). (Senate)
- 2025-04-25: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25 (Senate)
- 2025-04-24: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-25-25 9:40AM; Conference Room 325. (Senate)
- 2025-04-23: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-24-25 9:30AM; Conference Room 325. (Senate)
- 2025-04-22: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-23-25 9:31AM; Conference Room 325. (Senate)
- 2025-04-21: Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-22-25 10:54AM; Conference Room 325. (Senate)
- 2025-04-17: Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Lee, C., Keohokalole, Wakai, Rhoads Co-Chairs; Awa. (Senate)
- 2025-04-17: Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 828). (House)
- 2025-04-15: Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 732). (Senate)
- 2025-04-14: House Conferees Appointed: Kahaloa, Tarnas, Yamashita Co-Chairs; Quinlan, Matsumoto. (House)
- 2025-04-11: Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 704). (Senate)
- 2025-04-10: House disagrees with Senate amendment (s). (House)
- 2025-04-08: Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. (Senate)
- 2025-04-08: Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 635) in amended form (SD 2). (House)
- 2025-04-04: Reported from WAM/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1812) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). (Senate)
- 2025-04-04: 48 Hrs. Notice 04-08-25. (Senate)
- 2025-04-01: The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 11 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite, Lee, C.. (Senate)
- 2025-04-01: The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2025-03-27: The committee(s) on WAM/JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-01-25 10:00AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-03-21: Reported from AEN/TCA/CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1341) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-03-21: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-03-18: The 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, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Rhoads. (Senate)
- 2025-03-18: The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2025-03-18: The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Richards; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa. (Senate)
- 2025-03-14: The committee(s) on AEN/TCA/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-25 9:45AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-03-04: Referred to AEN/TCA/CPN, WAM/JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-02-28: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 15). (Senate)
- 2025-02-28: Passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-02-27: Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 867), recommending passage on Third Reading. (House)
- 2025-02-27: Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4). Transmitted to Senate. (House)
- 2025-02-20: The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos, Ward. (House)
- 2025-02-18: Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 02-20-25 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2025-02-14: Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 739) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN. (House)
- 2025-02-14: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4). (House)
- 2025-02-11: The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Garcia; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Hashem. (House)
- 2025-02-07: Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 02-11-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2025-02-04: Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 85) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA. (House)
- 2025-02-04: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Kong, Ward excused (3). (House)
- 2025-01-29: The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Kusch, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward. (House)
- 2025-01-23: Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Wednesday, 01-29-25 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2025-01-21: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2025-01-21: Referred to AGR, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2 (House)
- 2025-01-17: Pending introduction. (House)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_CD1_.pdf)
- HB427_CD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_CD1_.HTM)
- HB427_HD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_HD1_.HTM)
- HB427_HD2: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_HD2_.HTM)
- HB427_SD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_SD1_.HTM)
- HB427_SD2: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_SD2_.HTM)
- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/GM1338_.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)
- HB 943: RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS. (signed)
- HB 613: RELATING TO HOMELESS YOUTH. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_CD1_.pdf)
- [HB427_CD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_CD1_.HTM)
- [HB427_HD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_HD1_.HTM)
- [HB427_HD2 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_HD2_.HTM)
- [HB427_SD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_SD1_.HTM)
- [HB427_SD2 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_SD2_.HTM)
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB427_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/GM1338_.PDF)

## Related
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
- [HB 943: RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB943-2025)
- [HB 613: RELATING TO HOMELESS YOUTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB613-2025)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB427-2025 (as of 2026-10-27).