SB 496: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-02-07
Current Status:
Failed
(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Requires the Board of Agriculture to define the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)
Requires the Board of Agriculture to define the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
496 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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:
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the board of agriculture to define the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity".
SECTION 2. (a) The board of agriculture shall draft comprehensive definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity" to be placed in section 141-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
(b) The definition for "bona fide farmer" shall outline the following criteria:
(1) Minimum income threshold;
(2) Primary occupation;
(3) Farm size or scale; and
(4) Commercial focus.
The definition for "bona fide farmer" shall also include the term "bona fide agricultural activity".
(c) The board of agriculture shall solicit and incorporate stakeholder input in drafting the definitions required under subsection (a).
(d) The department of agriculture shall submit a report of the drafted definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity", including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
BOA; Bona Fide Farmer; Bona Fide Agricultural Activity; Definitions; Report
Description:
Requires the Board of Agriculture to define the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. (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. |
496 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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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:
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the board of agriculture to define the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity".
SECTION 2. (a) The board of agriculture shall draft comprehensive definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity" to be placed in section 141-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
(b) The definition for "bona fide farmer" shall outline the following criteria:
(1) Minimum income threshold;
(2) Primary occupation;
(3) Farm size or scale; and
(4) Commercial focus.
The definition for "bona fide farmer" also shall include the term "bona fide agricultural activity".
(c) The department of agriculture shall submit a report of the drafted definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity", including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
BOA; Bona Fide Farmer; Bona Fide Agricultural Activity; Definitions; Report
Description:
Requires the Board of Agriculture to define the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature.
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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| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Feb 10, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 10, 2025 | Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 176) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 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, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite. |
| Jan 29, 2025 | The committee(s) on AEN deferred the measure until 02-03-25 1:05PM; Conference Room 224. |
| Jan 24, 2025 | The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-27-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Referred to AEN, WAM. |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Passed First Reading. |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Introduced. |
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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 3, 2025 | 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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| Agribusiness Development Corporation | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc. | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United | ** Support | |
| Island Harvest | ** Support | |
| Kahua Paʻa Mua | *** Support | Jan 27, 2025 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 176
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 496
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 496 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) Require the Board of Agriculture to define the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity"; and
(2) Require the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2026.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Island Harvest; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and three individuals.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.
Your Committee finds that there is no clear and comprehensive definition for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity" in existing law. Establishing universal definitions for these terms would provide more effective policy implementation, ensure that resources are directed to those truly engaged in farming, and help the State achieve its agricultural and environmental objectives.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Inserting language to require the Board of Agriculture to solicit and include stakeholder input in drafting the definitions for "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity"; and
(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
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. 496, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 496, 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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| Jan 27, 2025 | SB496_TESTIMONY_AEN_01-27-25_.PDF |
Bill Author
