# Hawaii SB 240: RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO FARM.

Hawaii SB 240, RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO FARM., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) Senate bill sponsored by Mike Gabbard (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-01-27 (The committee on AEN deferred the measure.) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB240-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii SB 240
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO FARM.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-13
- Last action: 2025-01-27, The committee on AEN deferred the measure.
- Sponsor: Mike Gabbard (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 2
- Subjects: Hawaii Right to Farm Act, Farming Operations, Customary and Traditional Subsistence Farming, Animal Feeding Operations, Ownership and Beneficiary Structure, Nuisance Claims, AEN/HWN, JDC
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Amends the definition of "farming operation" by including customary and traditional subsistence farming conducted by native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and excluding concentrated animal feeding operations and business entities with unclear or non-transparent ownership or beneficiary structures. Establishes additional criteria for farming operations to meet in order to be protected against nuisance claims. Clarifies the purpose and intent of the Hawaii Right to Farm Act.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Stanley Chang (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Joy A. San Buenaventura (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (7)

- 2025-01-27: The committee on AEN deferred the measure. (Senate)
- 2025-01-24: The committee on HWN deferred the measure. (Senate)
- 2025-01-24: The committee(s) on AEN will hold a public decision making on 01-27-25 1:01PM; CR 224 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-01-21: The committee(s) on AEN/HWN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-24-25 1:30PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Referred to AEN/HWN, JDC. (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Introduced and passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-01-13: Pending Introduction. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB240_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB240_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB240_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/SB240_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [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)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [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)
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- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB240-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).