SB 2178: DAB; UH CTAHR; INDUSTRIAL HEMP PROGRAM; INDUSTRIAL HEMP ADVISORY BOARD; NATIVE HAWAIIAN PRACTICES; NON-CANNABINOID INDUSTRIAL HEMP INFRASTRUCTURE AND INNOVATION; STATE BUILDING CODE; HEMPCRETE; APPROPRIATIONS

Session Year: 2025-2026
House: Senate

Current Status:

In Progress

(2026-02-03: The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Hashimoto.)

Introduced

First Committee Review

First Chamber

Second Committee Review

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

Version:

Establishes an Industrial Hemp Program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity that includes comprehensive licensing, education, and support for non-cannabinoid industrial hemp cultivation and use.Establishes theIndustrial Hemp Program Advisory Boardtodevelop a strategic plan to establish and expand the processing infrastructure and commercialization of industrial hemp.Requires the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to support research and development focused on local adaptation, sustainability, and economic development goals.Requires DAB to promote partnerships with Native Hawaiian practitioners, cooperatives, and aina-based programs.Adopts state building codes for hemp‑based materials, including hempcrete.Appropriates funds.

Discussed in Hearing