All Roll Calls
Yes: 240 • No: 2
HawaiiSB 21532025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)Senate
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
Sponsored By: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to convene a Bona Fide Farmer Working Group to develop multi-tiered, matrix-based definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
DABWorking GroupBona Fide FarmerBona Fide Agricultural ActivityDefinitionsReportAGR, FIN
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New group will set farm standards
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law creates a working group to develop tiered definitions of a bona fide farmer and bona fide farm activity. The tiers cover entry-level and transitional, small-scale and diversified, commercial and professional, and corporate and institutional farms. The group must report its findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislature at least 20 days before the 2028 regular session. Members serve without pay but can get reimbursed for reasonable, necessary work expenses, including travel. The group can operate through June 30, 2028.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Carol Fukunaga
Democratic • Senate
Troy N. Hashimoto
Democratic • Senate
Michelle N. Kidani
Democratic • Senate
Angus L.K. McKelvey
Democratic • Senate
Sharon Y. Moriwaki
Democratic • Senate
Joy A. San Buenaventura
Democratic • Senate
Glenn Wakai
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 51 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/1/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 24 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/28/2026
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 4/28/2026
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....
Yes: 4 • No: 0
House vote • 4/9/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 49 • No: 0
House vote • 4/7/2026
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...
Yes: 15 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN...
Yes: 48 • No: 0
House vote • 3/20/2026
The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/10/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 24 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 12 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/28/2026
The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 4 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Act 167, 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1269).
6/26/2026SenateAct 167, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1269).
6/26/2026HouseReceived notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
5/8/2026SenateEnrolled to Governor.
5/7/2026SenatePassed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
5/6/2026HouseReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).
5/5/2026HouseDeferred one day 05-06-26.
5/1/2026HousePassed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).
5/1/2026SenateReported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 32-26).
4/29/2026Senate48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26.
4/29/2026SenateReported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 32-26) as amended in (CD 1).
4/29/2026HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 05-01-26.
4/29/2026HouseThe Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/28/2026SenateThe Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/28/2026HouseConference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
4/24/2026SenateConference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 11:00AM; Conference Room 325.
4/23/2026SenateHouse Conferees Appointed: Chun, Kusch Co-Chairs; Kahaloa, Matsumoto.
4/20/2026HouseReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).
4/20/2026SenateSenate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Richards Co-Chair; DeCoite.
4/20/2026SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 714).
4/20/2026HouseReceived from House (Hse. Com. No. 502).
4/10/2026SenateSenate disagrees with House amendments.
4/10/2026SenateReceived notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 564).
4/10/2026HouseReported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1998-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
4/9/2026HousePassed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
4/9/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
Original
SB2153_CD1
SB2153_HD1
SB2153_SD1
SB2153_SD2
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