# Hawaii SB 252: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Hawaii SB 252, RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Jarrett Keohokalole (Democratic); status failed, last action 2025-12-08 (Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB252-2026
- 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 252
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-13
- Last action: 2025-12-08, Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- Sponsor: Jarrett Keohokalole (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 6
- Subjects: DOA, Pests, Invasive Species, Importation, Inspection, Sale, Prohibition, Quarantine, Penalties, AGR, JHA, FIN
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 8 (110 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Clarifies that the importation of any pest or material infested or infected with an insect or other animal, disease, or pest is prohibited. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administratively inspect any article imported or moved into the State from the continental United States or between the Hawaiian Islands. Prohibits the sale, barter, or donation of items or material that is a pest, is infested or infected with a pest, or prohibited from being sold. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to compel the quarantine, treatment, or destruction of certain materials. Clarifies penalties for various quarantine and import law violations, based in part on whether violations were knowingly committed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Jarrett Keohokalole (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: AQUINO
- Cosponsor: Carol Fukunaga (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Michelle N. Kidani (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Sharon Y. Moriwaki (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-03-18 | House | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 10 | 0 |   |
| 2025-03-14 | House | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA... | pass | 47 | 0 |   |
| 2025-03-12 | House | The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |
| 2025-03-04 | Senate | Senate Floor Vote | pass | 24 | 0 |   |
| 2025-02-26 | Senate | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 13 | 0 |   |
| 2025-02-26 | Senate | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |
| 2025-01-29 | Senate | The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 3 | 0 |   |
| 2025-01-29 | Senate | The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 3 | 0 |   |

## Actions (26)

- 2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- 2025-03-21: Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1456) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN. (House)
- 2025-03-21: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excused (5). (House)
- 2025-03-18: The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran. (House)
- 2025-03-14: Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1227) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA. (House)
- 2025-03-14: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Holt, Iwamoto, Ward excused (4). (House)
- 2025-03-14: Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-18-25 2:15PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2025-03-12: 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; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward. (House)
- 2025-03-07: Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Wednesday, 03-12-25 9:00AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2025-03-06: Pass First Reading (House)
- 2025-03-06: Referred to AGR, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19 (House)
- 2025-03-04: Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Lee, C.). Transmitted to House. (Senate)
- 2025-03-04: Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 114) in amended form (SD 2). (House)
- 2025-02-28: Reported from JDC/WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 987) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). (Senate)
- 2025-02-28: 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25. (Senate)
- 2025-02-26: 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)
- 2025-02-26: The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2025-02-21: The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 10:05AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-02-10: Reported from AEN/CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 162) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-02-10: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-01-29: The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Richards, Awa. (Senate)
- 2025-01-29: The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Richards, Awa. (Senate)
- 2025-01-24: The committee(s) on AEN/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-29-25 9:30AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2025-01-21: Referred to AEN/CPN, JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-01-15: Introduced and passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2025-01-13: Pending Introduction. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_HD2_.pdf)
- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_.PDF)
- SB252_HD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_HD1_.HTM)
- SB252_HD2: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_HD2_.HTM)
- SB252_SD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_SD1_.HTM)
- SB252_SD2: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_SD2_.HTM)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_HD2_.pdf)
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_.PDF)
- [SB252_HD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_HD1_.HTM)
- [SB252_HD2 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_HD2_.HTM)
- [SB252_SD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_SD1_.HTM)
- [SB252_SD2 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB252_SD2_.HTM)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [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 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1973-2026)
- [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-SB252-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).