SB 2798: Law Enforcement; Agricultural Enforcement Program; Permanent; Statewide

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 353C-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending its title and subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "[[]§353C-16[]]  Agricultural enforcement [pilot] program.  (a)  There shall be established within the department an agricultural enforcement [pilot] program [on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii,] to be implemented at the discretion of the deputy director of law enforcement.  The department shall employ or appoint, and remove, the following persons, subject to chapter 76 and section 78-1:

     (1)  An assistant chief, who shall be the administrator of the agricultural enforcement [pilot] program and shall have charge, direction, and control, subject to the direction or control of the deputy director, of all matters relating to the enforcement of an offense listed in section 708-835.55 involving theft of an agricultural product or commodity and any other matters as determined by the deputy director.  The assistant chief shall be an administrator experienced in addressing agricultural theft; and

     (2)  Personnel, state law enforcement officers, and investigators, including but not limited to state law enforcement officers serving on a voluntary basis without pay.

     (b)  In addition to all police powers and duties, state law enforcement officers in the agricultural enforcement [pilot] program shall:

     (1)  Focus on offenses under sections 708-830.5, 708-831, 708-832, and 708-833 that involve the theft of an agricultural product or commodity;

     (2)  Gather evidence, conduct investigations, and conduct field observations, as required or assigned;

     (3)  Cooperate with any enforcement authorities of the federal, state, or county government in the development of programs and mutual aid agreements for agricultural activities within the State; and

     (4)  Carry out other duties and responsibilities as determined by the deputy director."

     SECTION 2.  Act 235, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, is amended by amending section 47 to read as follows:

     "SECTION 47.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025[; provided that part II of this Act shall be repealed on July 1, 2028]."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Law Enforcement; Agricultural Enforcement Program; Permanent; Statewide

Description:

Makes permanent the Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program established pursuant to Act 235, SLH 2025.  Renames the program as the Agricultural Enforcement Program and expands the program statewide.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 353C-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending its title and subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "[[]§353C-16[]]  Agricultural enforcement [pilot] program.  (a)  There shall be established within the department an agricultural enforcement [pilot] program [on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii,] in the State to be implemented at the discretion of the deputy director of law enforcement.  The department shall employ or appoint, and remove, the following persons, subject to chapter 76 and section 78-1:

     (1)  An assistant chief, who shall be the administrator of the agricultural enforcement [pilot] program and shall have charge, direction, and control, subject to the direction or control of the deputy director, of all matters relating to the enforcement of an offense listed in section 708-835.55 involving theft of an agricultural product or commodity and any other matters as determined by the deputy director.  The assistant chief shall be an administrator experienced in addressing agricultural theft; and

     (2)  Personnel, state law enforcement officers, and investigators, including but not limited to state law enforcement officers serving on a voluntary basis without pay.

     (b)  In addition to all police powers and duties, state law enforcement officers in the agricultural enforcement [pilot] program shall:

     (1)  Focus on offenses under sections 708-830.5, 708-831, 708-832, and 708-833 that involve the theft of an agricultural product or commodity;

     (2)  Gather evidence, conduct investigations, and conduct field observations, as required or assigned;

     (3)  Cooperate with any enforcement authorities of the federal, state, or county government in the development of programs and mutual aid agreements for agricultural activities within the State; and

     (4)  Carry out other duties and responsibilities as determined by the deputy director."

     SECTION 2.  Act 235, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, is amended by amending section 47 to read as follows:

     "SECTION 47.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025[; provided that part II of this Act shall be repealed on July 1, 2028]."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Law Enforcement; Agricultural Enforcement Program; Permanent

Description:

Makes permanent the Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program established pursuant to Act 235, SLH 2025.  Renames the program as the Agricultural Enforcement Program and expands the program statewide.  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.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to law enforcement.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 353C-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending its title and subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "[[]§353C-16[]]  Agricultural enforcement [pilot] program.  (a)  There shall be established within the department an agricultural enforcement [pilot] program [on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii,] in the State to be implemented at the discretion of the deputy director of law enforcement.  The department shall employ or appoint, and remove, the following persons, subject to chapter 76 and section 78-1:

     (1)  An assistant chief, who shall be the administrator of the agricultural enforcement [pilot] program and shall have charge, direction, and control, subject to the direction or control of the deputy director, of all matters relating to the enforcement of an offense listed in section 708-835.55 involving theft of an agricultural product or commodity and any other matters as determined by the deputy director.  The assistant chief shall be an administrator experienced in addressing agricultural theft; and

     (2)  Personnel, state law enforcement officers, and investigators, including but not limited to state law enforcement officers serving on a voluntary basis without pay.

     (b)  In addition to all police powers and duties, state law enforcement officers in the agricultural enforcement [pilot] program shall:

     (1)  Focus on offenses under sections 708-830.5, 708-831, 708-832, and 708-833 that involve the theft of an agricultural product or commodity;

     (2)  Gather evidence, conduct investigations, and conduct field observations, as required or assigned;

     (3)  Cooperate with any enforcement authorities of the federal, state, or county government in the development of programs and mutual aid agreements for agricultural activities within the State; and

     (4)  Carry out other duties and responsibilities as determined by the deputy director."

     SECTION 2.  Act 235, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, is amended by amending section 47 to read as follows:

     "SECTION 47.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025[; provided that part II of this Act shall be repealed on July 1, 2028]."

     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.

Report Title:

Law Enforcement; Agricultural Enforcement Program; Permanent

Description:

Makes permanent the Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program established pursuant to Act 235, SLH 2025.  Renames the program as the Agricultural Enforcement Program and expands the program statewide.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2725

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2798

        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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2798, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make permanent, rename, and expand statewide the Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program established pursuant to Act 235, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council Inc.; Ulupalakua Ranch; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Thompson Ranch; Parker Ranch; and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program has been successful at directing law enforcement resources to address agricultural crimes.  However, your Committee notes that, despite the pilot program's success, agricultural crime remains a serious and ongoing challenge for farmers and ranchers across the State.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that making the pilot program permanent and expanding it statewide will help protect Hawaii's farmers, growers, and ranchers.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2798, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2367

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2798

        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 Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2798 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Make permanent the Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program established pursuant to Act 235, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025; and

     (2)  Rename the program as the Agricultural Enforcement Program and expand the program statewide.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Law Enforcement, Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that agricultural crimes pose a threat, not only to public safety and the livelihoods of farmers, but also to the food security of the State and vibrancy of local economies.  These crimes can take a variety of forms, including theft, vandalism, and unauthorized hunting, which can result in the accidental shooting of livestock.  Act 235, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, established the Agriculture Enforcement Pilot Program to provide a comprehensive response to these crimes by strengthening existing legal frameworks and establishing clearer definitions and penalties for violations related to agriculture and agricultural lands.  This measure recognizes the success of the Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program by making it permanent and expanding it to cover agricultural enforcement statewide.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2798, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2798, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,