The Cowboy statue in Waimea Town, Big Island of Hawaii

Tim Richards

Democrat, State Senate
District 4, Hawaiʻi
Time in office:
  • Senate: 2022-present

    News coverage of Tim Richards

    Bio

    Herbert M. “Tim” Richards III represents North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa and North Kona. He is a sixth-generation resident of Hawaiʻi and third generation to the Big Island. He has worked as a veterinarian with Veterinary Associates Inc. and as the president and general manager of Kahua Ranch Ltd. His first political office was on the Hawai‘i County Council beginning in 2016.

    Born and raised in North Kohala, Richards grew up working on the family owned and operated Kahua Ranch, a cattle and sheep operation. He chairs the Hawaiian Affairs Committee in the Senate and is known for his work on agriculture and food security issues. He has a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Washington State University.

    Leader Badges

    Bill Activity

    0

    Of 126 bills:
    1 Passed
    0 Failed
    125 Pending

    For this session year, this legislator initiated 126 bills: 1 passed, 0 failed, and 125 are currently pending.

    Alignment Meter

    See all-time percentage of this legislator’s alignment with any organization based on total votes.

    xx%votes: xx

    Financials

    This feature tracks sources of money intended to help a candidate win election.

    Election

    This display shows money given directly to the incumbent’s campaign committee (NOTE: The industry categories for donors come from Open Secrets, a nonpartisan research organization for campaign finance. Some contributions are “uncoded,” meaning they have not been assigned to an industry sector. As a result, the total for each sector is also an estimate).

    Agriculture

    $4.7K

    Candidate Contributions

    $250.0

    Communications & Electronics

    $3.0K

    Construction

    $2.8K

    Finance, Insurance & Real Estate

    $6.3K

    General Business

    $650.0

    Labor

    $8.5K

    Lawyers & Lobbyists

    $650.0

    Uncoded

    $5.5K

    Candidate Donations

    Individuals, corporations, organizations and committees are limited to a maximum donation to candidates of $4000 for the Senate and $2000 for the house.

    Total
    $32.2K

    41.0% lower than the average legislators

    Independent Expenditures

    Money from Independent Expenditure Committees (IEC) for advertising or grassroots activity targeting a candidates run for office is unlimited, but it cannot be spent in coordination with the candidate or the candidate's campaign.

    Total
    $147.0

    73.0% lower than the average legislators

    Grand Total for Elections

    $32.4K

    41.0% lower than the average legislators

    This is a total of the money targeting this legislator's campaign(s) including direct donations to the candidate, money spent by Independent Expenditure Committees and money from political parties.


    Influence

    There are two categories of donations to legislators after they are elected that encourage a working relationship between the donor and the legislator. The categories are: 1-Gifts, 2-Travel.

    No personal gifts data found

    Hearings

    Featured Comments

    Below are links to the video and transcript of recent, substantive comments by this legislator in committee hearings or floor sessions.

    Preview image for SB 217822MIN
    Feb 3, 2026

    SB 2178

    DAB; UH CTAHR; INDUSTRIAL HEMP PROGRAM; INDUSTRIAL HEMP ADVISORY BOARD; NATIVE HAWAIIAN...

    Preview image for SB 21545MIN
    Jan 28, 2026

    SB 2154

    DAB; AGRICULTURAL MARKETS STUDY; REPORT; AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE; POSITIONS; APPROPRIATIONS

    Preview image for SB 215313MIN
    Jan 28, 2026

    SB 2153

    BAB; BONA FIDE FARMER; BONA FIDE AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY; DEFINITIONS; REPORT

    Preview image for SB 216012MIN
    Jan 28, 2026

    SB 2160

    DAB; BEEKEEPERS; REGISTRATION; INDUSTRY STANDARDS; BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES; APIARY PROGRAM; LIMITATION ON...

    Preview image for SB 12499MIN
    Apr 30, 2025

    SB 1249

    RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

    Preview image for SB 12495MIN
    Apr 25, 2025

    SB 1249

    RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

    Preview image for SB 124944SEC
    Apr 24, 2025

    SB 1249

    RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

    Preview image for SCR 923MIN
    Apr 1, 2025

    SCR 92

    REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TO ESTABLISH AND PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE ENGAGEMENT...

    Preview image for SCR 1675MIN
    Apr 1, 2025

    SCR 167

    REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TO ASSESS ITS READINESS AND ABILITY...

    Preview image for SCR 1682MIN
    Apr 1, 2025

    SCR 168

    REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A...

    Preview image for SCR 8922MIN
    Mar 31, 2025

    SCR 89

    REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP...

    View All Hearings

    District

    State Senate District 4

    Previous Election ():

    Census Data

    Median age010203040

    Median age