# Hawaii SB 2156: RELATING TO LAND USE.

Hawaii SB 2156, RELATING TO LAND USE., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-02-20 (Reported from EDT/WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2688) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2156-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 2156
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO LAND USE.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-14
- Last action: 2026-02-20, Reported from EDT/WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2688) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Subjects: DBEDT, Creative Industries Division, Agricultural Film Production Land Use Act, Agricultural Film Production Land Use Oversight Committee, Rules, EDT/WLA, WAM
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (10 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Permits film production on certain lands zoned for agricultural use under certain conditions, including obtaining land use special permits. Establishes the Agricultural Film Production Land Use Oversight Committee within the Creative Industries Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish film permit application requirements and processes, facilitate the issuance of special permits for film production on agricultural zoned parcels, and advise and make recommendations relating to the regulation of film productions on agricultural zoned lands. Requires DBEDT to adopt rules. Requires DBEDT to consult with state and county agencies to issue permits for film production within an agricultural district using the consolidated film permit process under certain circumstances. Includes temporary filming activities as a permissible conditional accessory use of lands within the agricultural district. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Les Ihara Jr. (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Michelle N. Kidani (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Dru Mamo Kanuha (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: SAN BUENAVENTURA

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-19 | Senate | The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-19 | Senate | The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |

## Actions (8)

- 2026-02-20: Reported from EDT/WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2688) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. (Senate)
- 2026-02-20: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. (Senate)
- 2026-02-19: The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2026-02-19: The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDT were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fukunaga, Kim, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: The committee(s) on EDT/WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-19-26 1:02PM; CR 229 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-01-22: Referred to EDT/WLA, WAM. (Senate)
- 2026-01-21: Introduced and passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2026-01-14: Pending Introduction. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2156_SD1_.pdf)
- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2156_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2156_.PDF)
- SB2156_SD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2156_SD1_.HTM)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2031: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2156_SD1_.pdf)
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2156_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2156_.PDF)
- [SB2156_SD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2156_SD1_.HTM)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2031: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2031-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2156-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).