SB 2317: DAB; Insurance; Small Agricultural Producers; Study; Report; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2026-02-12
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-02-13: 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
Directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2317 |
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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 AGRICULTURE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
(b) As part of the study, the department of agriculture and biosecurity shall:
(1) Evaluate the feasibility of a state-supported group insurance program or purchasing pool for small agricultural producers;
(2) Develop criteria that would define a "small agricultural producer";
(3) Evaluate existing private sector insurance programs and products dedicated to small agricultural producers;
(4) Explore public-private partnerships with insurers to offer farm-specific coverage products;
(5) Identify statutory or regulatory barriers that limit insurance availability for farms;
(6) Assess the role of existing agencies in providing technical assistance or centralized intake for farm business risks and insurance inquiries; and
(7) Partner with relevant state and county agencies to convene stakeholders, provide technical input from the agricultural perspective, and coordinate with farmers and insurers.
(c) The department of agriculture and biosecurity shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.
SECTION 2. 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 a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture and biosecurity for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
DAB; Insurance; Small Agricultural Producers; Study; Report; Appropriation
Description:
Directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2317 |
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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 agriculture.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
(b) As part of the study, the department of agriculture and biosecurity shall:
(1) Evaluate the feasibility of a state-supported group insurance program or purchasing pool for small agricultural producers;
(2) Develop criteria that would define a "small agricultural producer";
(3) Evaluate existing private sector insurance programs and products dedicated to small agricultural producers;
(4) Explore public-private partnerships with insurers to offer farm-specific coverage products;
(5) Identify statutory or regulatory barriers that limit insurance availability for farms;
(6) Assess the role of existing agencies in providing technical assistance or centralized intake for farm business risks and insurance inquiries; and
(7) Partner with relevant state and county agencies to convene stakeholders, provide technical input from the agricultural perspective, and coordinate with farmers and insurers.
(c) The department of agriculture and biosecurity shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.
SECTION 2. 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 a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture and biosecurity for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
DAB; Insurance; Small Agricultural Producers; Study; Report; Appropriation
Description:
Directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
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 13, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 13, 2026 | Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2234) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 4, 2026 | The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Referred to AEN, 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 4, 2026 | The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment |
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.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity | ** Support | |
| Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity | *** Support | Feb 4, 2026 |
| Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2234
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2317
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2317 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to:
(1) Direct the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers; and
(2) Require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to submit a report to the Legislature.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association.
Your Committee finds that insurance coverage for small agricultural producers has been an ongoing need in the State's agricultural sector. Small agricultural producers face unique challenges due to factors that include the volatility of local weather patterns, prevalence of invasive species, and fluctuating market conditions. Accordingly, this measure will require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers to provide valuable insight into the risks of those producers and illuminate potential pathways for safeguarding their operations.
Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2317, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2317, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,
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________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Feb 4, 2026 | SB2317_TESTIMONY_AEN_02-04-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
1MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
