# Hawaii SB 517: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Hawaii SB 517, RELATING TO AGRICULTURE., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) Senate bill sponsored by Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic); status failed, last action 2026-01-21 (Re-Referred to AEN/EDU, WAM.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB517-2026
- 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 517
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-17
- Last action: 2026-01-21, Re-Referred to AEN/EDU, WAM.
- Sponsor: Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 3
- Subjects: DOA, CTAHR, Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program, Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program Special Fund, Rules, Reports, Appropriations, AEN/EDU, WAM
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Establishes a Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and other relevant stakeholders. Establishes the Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program Special Fund. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to adopt administrative rules. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

## 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: Kurt Fevella (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Mike Gabbard (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (5)

- 2026-01-21: Re-Referred to AEN/EDU, WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- 2025-01-21: Referred to AEN/HRE, WAM. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Introduced. (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Passed First Reading. (Senate)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB517_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB517_.pdf)

## 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
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB517_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB517_.pdf)

## 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)
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- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB517-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).