Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB177: Relating to Aquaculture.
Status: Signed into law, June 26, 2026
Authorizes the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture to adopt, amend, and repeal rules to develop an assessment and approval process to import and move aquatic livestock in the State. Requires the Aquaculture Program to develop a risk-based framework and biocontainment standards for the aquatic livestock assessment and approval process. Makes appropriations.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to aquaculture.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUACULTURE. SECTION 1. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§141- Aquatic livestock import evaluation and authorization process; rules. The division of animal industry may adopt, amend, and repeal rules consistent with applicable law, to develop a science-based evaluation and authorization process to import and transport aquatic livestock within the State. This process shall: (1) Be based on the biological aquatic risk-based framework developed and maintained by the department pursuant to this chapter and chapter 142; (2) Include mandatory pre-arrival disease testing, entry point inspection, and post-arrival monitoring and inspection; and 2026-2435 SB177 CDl SMA-l.docx ■HiniMiiiinioiiiiiiniiiiiiiiii Page S.B. NO. C.D. (3) Require mandatory quarantine^ remediation, or depopulation of any aquatic animals determined to pose a biological aquatic risk." SECTION 2. Section 141-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding three new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows: ""Aquatic livestock" means species of domesticated or non native fish, crustaceans, and mollusks that are propagated and raised for food or similar human food production, ecological restoration, or similar commercial purposes. "Biocontainment" means the operational methods, procedures, physical facility features, and containment or safety equipment or the designs thereof, used for managing infectious or potentially …
Sponsors
- Glenn Wakai (D, 15) · primary sponsor
- Stanley Chang (D, 9)
- Lynn DeCoite (D, 7)
- Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
- Lorraine Inouye (D, 1)
- Dru Kanuha (D, 3)
- Michelle Kidani (D, 18)
- Tim Richards (D, SD-004)
- Kurt Fevella (R, 20)
- Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)
Latest actions
- : Act 165, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1267).
- : Act 165, 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1267).
- : Enrolled to Governor.
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Perruso, Poepoe voting no (3) and none excused (0).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
- : Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 181-26) as amended in (CD 1).
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
Votes
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Perruso, Poepoe voting no (3) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 48 yea, 3 nay, passed
- none. (May 1, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 2 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Kapela excused (2) (April 4, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Kapela excused (2) (April 4, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Aquaculture, Counties, DOA
Common questions
- What is SB177?
- SB177 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Aquaculture.
- What does SB177 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to aquaculture.
- What is the status of SB177?
- Signed into law as of June 26, 2026. Latest action: Act 165, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1267). (June 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB177?
- Glenn Wakai (D, 15), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB177?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=177&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.