HB1707 • 2026

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Agriculture Budget

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY, AMATO, BELATTI, ILAGAN, KAHALOA, KITAGAWA, LEE, M., LOWEN, MATAYOSHI, MORIKAWA, OLDS, TAKAYAMA, TARNAS
Last action: 2026-05-07
Official status: Transmitted to Governor.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

What This Bill Does

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
DAB; Transportation Costs; Shipping Costs; Reimbursements; Position; Appropriations ($) Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain necessary supplies, under certain conditions.
Establishes a position to administer the Program.
Appropriates funds.

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

CD1

Hawaii published version CD1

Plain English: HB1707 CD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1707 CD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1707 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: HB1707 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1707 HD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1707 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE .

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: HB1707 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1707 SD1 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1707 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

SD2

Hawaii published version SD2

Plain English: HB1707 SD2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.

HB1707 SD2 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.B.
NO.
1707 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 H.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII S.D.

Bill History

2026-05-08 S
Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
2026-05-07 H
Transmitted to Governor.
2026-05-06 H
Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
2026-05-06 S
Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
2026-05-06 H
Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
2026-05-01 S
48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
2026-05-01 S
Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 151-26).
2026-05-01 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
2026-05-01 H
Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 151-26) as amended in (CD 1).
2026-05-01 S
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Kanuha, Richards, DeCoite; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-05-01 H
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Perruso, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-05-01 H
The Conference committee reconsidered its previous decision.
2026-05-01 H
Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 5:00PM in conference room 411.
2026-05-01 S
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Kanuha, Richards, DeCoite; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-05-01 H
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Perruso, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-30 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 9:15AM; Conference Room 325.
2026-04-29 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
2026-04-28 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
2026-04-27 S
Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-28-26 9:35AM; Conference Room 325.
2026-04-23 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 738).
2026-04-23 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Kanuha Co-Chair; Richards, DeCoite.
2026-04-20 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).
2026-04-20 H
House Conferees Appointed: Chun, Kusch Co-Chairs; Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Perruso, Matsumoto.
2026-04-17 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).
2026-04-16 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2026-04-14 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 607) in amended form (SD 2).
2026-04-14 S
Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2026-04-09 S
48 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
2026-04-09 S
Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3677) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
2026-04-06 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..
2026-04-01 S
The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 04-06-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-03-30 S
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-01-26 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2026-03-24 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2026-03-24 S
Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3151) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
2026-03-16 S
The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.
2026-03-13 S
The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 03-16-26 3:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
2026-03-10 S
Referred to AEN, WAM.
2026-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 38).
2026-03-05 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-03-05 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 787-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-02-23 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-02-19 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Monday, 02-23-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-17 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lee, M., Poepoe excused (3).
2026-02-17 H
Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 324-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2026-02-11 H
The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Perruso, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Lowen, Quinlan.
2026-02-06 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Wednesday, 02-11-26 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-26 H
Referred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 1
2026-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-20 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
DAB; Transportation Costs; Shipping Costs; Reimbursements; Position; Appropriations ($)
Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain necessary supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (CD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1707

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1707

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that increasing local agricultural production is essential to
the long-term sustainability and food security of the State.
�
However, local agricultural producers face
significant economic challenges, particularly with the high costs of
transporting agricultural products and necessary supplies across the
State.
�
In a recent survey report on
Hawaii commercial agricultural expansion, thirty-nine per cent of participating
local ranchers and farmers cited shipping and transportation costs as a leading
barrier to the expansion of their agricultural production.
�
These transportation costs place undue strain
and financial burdens on farmers and ranchers, limiting their ability to
compete in local markets and reducing the overall productivity of Hawaii's
agricultural sector.
�
Additionally, in
response to the economic tariffs being implemented by the Trump administration,
the Hawaii department of transportation harbors division, reported that
effective July 1, 2025, the tariff for wharfage and pipeline toll rates will
reflect a 4.1 per cent increase, further adding to the strain on local
producers.

����
The legislature recognizes that, to
successfully scale up local production, the establishment of a cost
reimbursement program that offsets the increased transportation costs of
agricultural producers is necessary to ensure growth in the agricultural
sector.
�
The financial relief provided by
a cost reimbursement program would help strengthen local agriculture, encourage
greater self-sufficiency, support the State's broader efforts to diversify its
economy, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

����
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish
a local agriculture transportation cost reimbursement program to ensure that
certain local agricultural producers, including those that manage livestock and
produce essential commodities, and those engaged in floriculture and nursery
production, receive support to offset the high costs of transporting goods to
market and to obtain necessary supplies.

����
SECTION 2.
�

Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section
to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

����
"
�141-
�
Local
agriculture transportation cost reimbursement program; rules.
�
(a)
�
There is established within the
department of agriculture and biosecurity a local agriculture transportation
cost reimbursement program to reimburse eligible agricultural producers for a
portion of the producer's costs to transport agricultural commodities.

����
(b)
�
To be eligible to receive
reimbursement payments pursuant to this section, an agricultural producer shall:

����
(1)
�
Be an owner of livestock or a
producer of agricultural commodities in the State, a cooperative aggregator or
food hub, or a start-up or small-scale farmer demonstrating commercial intent
that earns below the threshold of gross receipts under paragraph (3);

����
(2)
�
Incur costs for transporting

in a covered motor vehicle or through air cargo, parcel, or water cargo carrier
services:

���������
(A)
�
Livestock, livestock products, or agricultural commodities to
market within the State; or

���������
(B)
�
Supplies for the use of the agricultural producer; and

����
(3)
�
Provide to the department of
agriculture and biosecurity proof that the agricultural producer has annual
gross receipts totaling $
or more.

����
(c)
�
The total amount of reimbursement
payments disbursed pursuant to this section shall not exceed $
in any year; provided that no single producer shall receive more than $25,000
or fifty per cent of their eligible transportation costs per fiscal year,
whichever is less; provided further that no single cooperative aggregator or
food hub shall receive more than $50,000 or fifty per cent of their eligible
transportation costs per fiscal year, whichever is less.

����
(d)
�
The department of agriculture and biosecurity
shall
submit an annual report to the legislature no later than
twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session.
�
The report shall include:

����
(1)
�
The
total number of producers reimbursed;

����
(2)
�
The
total amount of funds disbursed; and

����
(3)
�
Any
recommendations for improvements or modifications to the program.

����
(e)
�
The department of agriculture and biosecurity
may establish rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out the
purposes of this section.

����
(f)
�
For purposes of this section:

����
"Agricultural
commodity" has the same meaning as defined in section 145-21, including
nursery production.

����
"Covered
motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle:

����
(1)
�
Registered
and owned by an owner of livestock or a producer of agricultural commodities in
the State; and

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(2)
�
Used
for the transport of livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities,
and supplies within the State.
"

����
SECTION 3.
�

There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $ or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department
of agriculture and biosecurity to fund and administer the local agriculture
transportation cost reimbursement program established pursuant to this Act.

����
The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of agriculture and biosecurity for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION 4.
�

There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $ or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027
to establish and fund one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE)
position within the department of agriculture and biosecurity to administer the
local agriculture transportation cost reimbursement program established
pursuant to this Act
.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of agriculture and biosecurity for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION 5.
�

New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 6.
�

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DAB;
Transportation Costs; Shipping Costs; Reimbursements; Position; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes
a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Program within the
Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to reimburse eligible ranchers and
farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural
commodities, and certain supplies, under certain conditions.
�
Establishes a position to administer the
Program.
�
Appropriates funds.
�

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