Hawaii HB1737: Relating to Farm Employee Housing.

What the bill says

A bill.for an act relating to farm employee housing.

From the enrolled text:

A BILL.FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FARM EMPLOYEE HOUSING. SECTION 1. Section 205-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection Cd) to read as follows: "(d) Agricultural districts shall include: (1) Activities or uses as characterized by the cultivation of crops, crops for bioenergy, orchards, forage, and forestry; (2) Farming activities or uses related to animal husbandry and game and fish propagation; (3) Aquaculture, which means the production of aquatic plant and animal life within ponds and other bodies of water; (4) Wind-generated energy production for public, private, and commercial use; (5) Biofuel production, as described in section 205--4.5(a) (16), for public, private, and commercial use; (6) Solar energy facilities; provided that: 2026--3237 HB1737 CD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ Page2 C.D. (A) This paragraph shall apply only to land with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating class B, C, D, or E; and (B) Solar energy facilities placed within land with soil classified as overall productivity rating class B or C shall not occupy more than ten per cent of the acreage of the parcel, or twenty acres of land, whichever is lesser, unless a special use permit is granted pursuant to section 205--6; (7) Bona fide agricultural services and uses that support the agricultural activities of the fee or …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Luke Evslin (D, 16) · primary sponsor
• Ikaika Hussey (D, 29)
• Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
• Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
• Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D, 2)
• Darius Kila (D, 44)
• Matthias Kusch (D, 1)
• Michael Lee (D, 50)
• Lisa Marten (D, 51)
• Lauren Matsumoto (R, 38)
• Tyson Miyake (D, 10)
• Daynette Morikawa (D, HD-017)

Latest actions

1. May 26, 2026: Act 034, on 05/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1134).
2. May 26, 2026: Act 034, 05/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1134).
3. May 8, 2026: Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
4. May 7, 2026: Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6, 2026: Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Amato, Garcia voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Marten, Perruso, Poepoe voting no (4) and none excused (0).
6. May 5, 2026: Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).
7. May 1, 2026: Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).
8. May 1, 2026: Deferred one day 05-06-26.
9. April 29, 2026: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26
10. April 29, 2026: Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 25-26).

Votes

• Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Amato, Garcia voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Marten, Perruso, Poepoe voting no (4) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 47 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 1, 2026): 24 yea, 0 nay, passed
• none. (April 27, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Conference Committee Vote (April 27, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2) (April 14, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
• JDC: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 9, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1737?

HB1737 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Farm Employee Housing.

What does HB1737 do?

In its own words: A bill.for an act relating to farm employee housing.

What is the status of HB1737?

Signed into law as of May 26, 2026. Latest action: Act 034, on 05/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1134). (May 26, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1737?

Luke Evslin (D, 16), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1737?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1737&year=2026