SB 2258: DOE; DOH; DCR; DOD; DAGS; UH; Local Preference; Landscaping Materials; Mulch; Compost; Soil; Reports
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2026-02-19
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-02-19: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill requires the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Defense, Department of Accounting and General Services, and the University of Hawaii to increase purchases of locally sourced natural landscaping materials to at least 10% by 2028, 20% by 2030, and 30% by 2032. "Local" means more than 50% of the wholesale value is added in the State, and "natural landscaping materials" includes items like wood mulch and compost. Each agency must report yearly to the Legislature on costs, percent local, and why any target was not met.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Gradually requires that, by 2032, 30% of the natural landscaping materials purchased by certain departments be locally sourced, meaning 50% of the wholesale value is added by manufacture, processing, production, or harvesting in the State. Applies to the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Defense, Department of Accounting and General Services, and University of Hawaii System. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)
Gradually requires that by 2032, 30% of natural landscaping materials purchased by certain departments be purchased from sources that manufacture, process, produce, or harvest the natural landscaping materials in Hawaii. Applies to the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Defense, Department of Accounting and General Services, and University of Hawaii.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2258 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LOCAL PURCHASING PREFERENCE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
"§27- Contracts for natural landscaping materials; percentage to be from within the State. (a) The department of education, department of health, department of corrections and rehabilitation, department of defense, department of accounting and general services, and university of Hawaii system shall each ensure that a certain percentage of the natural landscaping materials purchased for public schools, youth campuses, public hospitals, public prisons, and public facilities and any purchases made directly by the university of Hawaii for use in its academic programs is local natural landscaping materials as follows:
(1) By January 1, 2028, local natural landscaping materials shall constitute a minimum of ten per cent of the total natural landscaping materials purchased during each year, as measured by the per cent of total natural landscaping materials cost;
(2) By January 1, 2030, local natural landscaping materials shall constitute a minimum of twenty per cent of the total natural landscaping materials purchased during each year, as measured by the per cent of total natural landscaping materials cost; and
(3) By January 1, 2032, local natural landscaping materials shall constitute a minimum of thirty per cent of the total natural landscaping materials purchased during each year, as measured by the per cent of total natural landscaping materials cost.
(b) The department of education, department of health, department of corrections and rehabilitation, department of defense, department of accounting and general services, and university of Hawaii system shall each submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session on progress made toward meeting the benchmarks described in subsection (a), including:
(1) The total cost of natural landscaping materials during the year preceding that regular session;
(2) The percentage of the total cost of natural landscaping materials purchased during the year preceding that regular session, accounted for by the total cost of local natural landscaping materials purchased; and
(3) If the department or university of Hawaii system did not meet the relevant benchmark described in subsection (a), an explanation of why the department or university of Hawaii system did not meet that benchmark.
The report may be combined with the report required under section 27-8(b).
(c) For the purposes of this section:
"Local natural landscaping materials" means natural landscaping materials, of which more than fifty per cent of the wholesale value is added by manufacture, processing, production, or harvesting in the State.
"Natural landscaping materials" means materials used for landscaping, of which at least fifty per cent by weight is derived from previously living matter. "Natural landscaping materials" includes wood mulch and compost.
"Year" has the same meaning as defined in section 27-8."
SECTION 2. Section 27-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§27-8 Contracts for food; percentage to be grown within the State. (a) The department of education, department of health, department of corrections and rehabilitation, department of defense, and university of Hawaii system shall each ensure that a certain percentage of the food purchased for public schools, youth campuses, public hospitals, public prisons, and any purchases made directly by the university of Hawaii for use in its academic programs, as applicable, is fresh local agricultural products and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products, as follows:
(1) By January 1, 2025, fresh local agricultural
products and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products shall
constitute a minimum of ten per cent of the total food purchased
during each [calendar] year, as measured by the per cent of total food
cost; provided that the department of education shall be exempt from the
requirements of this paragraph;
(2) By
January 1, 2030, fresh local agricultural products and local value-added,
processed, agricultural, or food products shall constitute a minimum of
eighteen per cent of the total food purchased during each [calendar]
year, as measured by the per cent of total food cost; provided that the
department of education shall be exempt from the requirements of this paragraph
and instead shall be subject to the requirements in section 302A-405.6(a);
(3) By
January 1, 2035, fresh local agricultural products and local value-added,
processed, agricultural, or food products shall constitute a minimum of
twenty-six per cent of the total food purchased during each [calendar]
year, as measured by the per cent of total food cost; provided that the
department of education shall be exempt from the requirements of this
paragraph;
(4) By January 1, 2040, fresh local
agricultural products and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food
products shall constitute a minimum of thirty‑four per cent of the total food
purchased during each [calendar] year, as measured by the per cent of
total food cost;
(5) By January 1, 2045, fresh local
agricultural products and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food
products shall constitute a minimum of forty-two per cent of the total food
purchased during each [calendar] year, as measured by the per cent of
total food cost; and
(6) By January 1, 2050, fresh local
agricultural products and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food
products shall constitute a minimum of fifty per cent of the total food
purchased during each [calendar] year, as measured by the per cent of
total food cost.
(b) The department of education,
department of health, department of corrections and rehabilitation,
department of defense, and [University] university of Hawaii
system shall each submit a report to the legislature no later than
twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session on progress made
toward meeting the benchmarks described in subsection (a), including:
(1) The total cost of food purchased during
the [calendar] year preceding that regular session[, or in the case
of the department of education, during the school year preceding that regular
session];
(2) The percentage of the total cost of
food purchased during the [calendar] year preceding that regular
session, accounted for by the total cost of fresh local agricultural products
and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products purchased[,
or in the case of the department of education, during the school year preceding
that regular session]; and
(3) If the department or [University]
university of Hawaii system did not meet the relevant benchmark
described in subsection (a), an explanation of why the department or [University]
university of Hawaii system did not meet that benchmark.
The report may be combined with the report required under section 27- (b).
(c) [As used in] For the purposes of
this section:
"Fresh
local agricultural products" means fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, eggs,
poultry and poultry products, livestock and livestock products, milk and milk
products, aquacultural and maricultural products, and horticultural products,
that are one hundred per cent grown, raised, and harvested in [Hawaii.] the
State.
"Local
value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products" means a
product for which at least fifty-one per cent of its primary agricultural
product is grown, raised, and harvested in [Hawaii.] the State.
"Primary agricultural product" means the major agricultural product in a processed or value-added agricultural or food product.
"Year" means calendar year; provided that for the department of education, "year" means school year."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2525.
Report Title:
DOE; DOH; DCR; DOD; DAGS; UH; Local Preference; Landscaping Materials; Mulch; Compost; Soil; Reports
Description:
Gradually requires that, by 2032, 30% of the natural landscaping materials purchased by certain departments be locally sourced, meaning 50% of the wholesale value is added by manufacture, processing, production, or harvesting in the State. Applies to the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Defense, Department of Accounting and General Services, and University of Hawaii System. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2258 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to local purchasing preference.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
"§27- Contracts for natural landscaping materials; percentage to be from within the State. (a) The department of education, department of health, department of corrections and rehabilitation, department of defense, department of accounting and general services, and university of Hawaii system shall each ensure that a certain percentage of the natural landscaping materials purchased for public schools, youth campuses, public hospitals, public prisons, and public facilities and any purchases made directly by the university of Hawaii for use in its academic programs is as follows:
(1) By January 1, 2028, local natural landscaping materials shall constitute a minimum of ten per cent of the total natural landscaping materials purchased during each year, as measured by the per cent of total natural landscaping materials cost;
(2) By January 1, 2030, local natural landscaping materials shall constitute a minimum of twenty per cent of the total natural landscaping materials purchased during each year, as measured by the per cent of total natural landscaping materials cost; and
(3) By January 1, 2032, local natural landscaping materials shall constitute a minimum of thirty per cent of the total natural landscaping materials purchased during each year, as measured by the per cent of total natural landscaping materials cost.
(b) The department of education, department of health, department of corrections and rehabilitation, department of defense, department of accounting and general services, and university of Hawaii system shall each submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session on progress made toward meeting the benchmarks described in subsection (a), including:
(1) The total cost of natural landscaping materials during the year preceding that regular session;
(2) The percentage of the total cost of natural landscaping materials purchased during the year preceding that regular session, accounted for by the total cost of local natural landscaping materials purchased; and
(3) If the department or university of Hawaii system did not meet the relevant benchmark described in subsection (a), an explanation of why the department or university of Hawaii system did not meet that benchmark.
The report may be combined with the report required under section 27-8(b).
(c) As used in this section:
"Local natural landscaping materials" means natural landscaping materials, of which more than fifty per cent of the wholesale value is added by manufacture, processing, production, or harvesting in Hawaii.
"Natural landscaping materials" means materials used for landscaping, of which at least fifty per cent by weight is derived from previously living matter. "Natural landscaping materials" includes wood mulch and compost.
"Year" shall have the same meaning as in section 27-8."
SECTION 2. Section 27-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§27-8 Contracts for food; percentage to be grown within the State. (a) The department of education, department of health, department of corrections and rehabilitation, department of defense, and university of Hawaii system shall each ensure that a certain percentage of the food purchased for public schools, youth campuses, public hospitals, public prisons, and any purchases made directly by the university of Hawaii for use in its academic programs, as applicable, is fresh local agricultural products and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products, as follows:
(1) By January 1, 2025, fresh local agricultural
products and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products shall
constitute a minimum of ten per cent of the total food purchased
during each [calendar] year, as measured by the per cent of total food
cost; provided that the department of education shall be exempt from the
requirements of this paragraph;
(2) By
January 1, 2030, fresh local agricultural products and local value-added,
processed, agricultural, or food products shall constitute a minimum of
eighteen per cent of the total food purchased during each [calendar]
year, as measured by the per cent of total food cost; provided that the
department of education shall be exempt from the requirements of this paragraph
and instead shall be subject to the requirements in section 302A-405.6(a);
(3) By
January 1, 2035, fresh local agricultural products and local value-added,
processed, agricultural, or food products shall constitute a minimum of
twenty-six per cent of the total food purchased during each [calendar]
year, as measured by the per cent of total food cost; provided that the
department of education shall be exempt from the requirements of this
paragraph;
(4) By January 1, 2040, fresh local
agricultural products and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food
products shall constitute a minimum of thirty‑four per cent of the total food
purchased during each [calendar] year, as measured by the per cent of
total food cost;
(5) By January 1, 2045, fresh local
agricultural products and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food
products shall constitute a minimum of forty-two per cent of the total food
purchased during each [calendar] year, as measured by the per cent of
total food cost; and
(6) By January 1, 2050, fresh local
agricultural products and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food
products shall constitute a minimum of fifty per cent of the total food
purchased during each [calendar] year, as measured by the per cent of
total food cost.
(b) The department of education,
department of health, department of corrections and rehabilitation,
department of defense, and [University] university of Hawaii
system shall each submit a report to the legislature no later than
twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session on progress made
toward meeting the benchmarks described in subsection (a), including:
(1) The total cost of food purchased during
the [calendar] year preceding that regular session[, or in the case
of the department of education, during the school year preceding that regular
session];
(2) The percentage of the total cost of
food purchased during the [calendar] year preceding that regular
session, accounted for by the total cost of fresh local agricultural products
and local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products purchased[,
or in the case of the department of education, during the school year preceding
that regular session]; and
(3) If the department or [University]
university of Hawaii system did not meet the relevant benchmark
described in subsection (a), an explanation of why the department or [University]
university of Hawaii system did not meet that benchmark.
The report may be combined with the report required under section 27- (b).
(c) As used in this section:
"Fresh local agricultural products" means fruits, vegetables, nuts, coffee, eggs, poultry and poultry products, livestock and livestock products, milk and milk products, aquacultural and maricultural products, and horticultural products, that are one hundred per cent grown, raised, and harvested in Hawaii.
"Local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products" means a product for which at least fifty-one per cent of its primary agricultural product is grown, raised, and harvested in Hawaii.
"Primary agricultural product" means the major agricultural product in a processed or value-added agricultural or food product.
"Year" means calendar year; provided that for the department of education, "year" means school year."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
DOE; DOH; DCR; DOD; DAGS; UH; Local Preference; Landscaping Materials; Mulch; Compost; Soil
Description:
Gradually requires that by 2032, 30% of natural landscaping materials purchased by certain departments be purchased from sources that manufacture, process, produce, or harvest the natural landscaping materials in Hawaii. Applies to the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Defense, Department of Accounting and General Services, and University of Hawaii.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Feb 19, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 19, 2026 | Reported from GVO/CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2473) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lamosao. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Hashimoto, Moriwaki, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 6, 2026 | The committee(s) on GVO/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 9:45AM; CR 229 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Referred to GVO/CPN, WAM. |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Introduced and passed First Reading. |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Pending Introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Feb 11, 2026 | The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection |
Passed |
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| Feb 11, 2026 | The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Government Operations |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2473
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2258
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Government Operations and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2258 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOCAL PURCHASING PREFERENCE,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to gradually require that, by 2032, thirty percent of the natural landscaping materials purchased by the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Defense, Department of Accounting and General Services, and University of Hawaii System be locally-sourced, meaning fifty percent of the wholesale value is added by manufacture, processing, production, or harvesting in the State.
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.
Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.
Your Committees find that the State was recently ranked the worst place to do business, citing high costs from uncontrollable factors, such as geographical isolation and the impacts of COVID‑19, and controllable factors, including taxes, regulations, and social policies. Your Committees recognize that purchasing preferences are one tool state governments can use to promote local businesses and invest in self-sustainability. This measure will support local businesses and strengthen the local economy by promoting greater opportunities for locally sourced materials in state purchasing.
Your Committees note the concerns raised by the Department of Education that the requirement to source specified percentages of local natural landscaping materials proposed in this measure may present implementation challenges, including limited availability of qualifying products, potential increased costs, and conflicts with existing procurement requirements. Your Committees also note the discussion held during the hearing on this measure regarding whether calculating the Department of Education's compliance based on the school year, rather than the calendar year, would complicate timing and reporting requirements, potentially interfere with school operations and budgeting, and affect the Department's ability to meet the target goals proposed in this measure. Your Committees find that these operational and fiscal concerns merit further consideration and respectfully request that your Committee on Ways and Means examine the issues, including the definition of "year" for the Department of Education and the fiscal impacts of this measure.
Your Committees have amended this measure by:
(1) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2525, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Government Operations and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2258, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2258, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Government Operations and Commerce and Consumer Protection,
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________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair |
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________________________________ ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Feb 11, 2026 | SB2258_TESTIMONY_GVO-CPN_02-11-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
3MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment
3MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection
3MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Government Operations
Bill Author
