Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB443: Relating to Agricultural Lands.
Status: In committee, April 17, 2026
Requires that lands within the agricultural district that have solar energy facilities must also obtain certification from the Board of Land and Natural Resources that the lands are also used for a farming operation.
What the bill says
A bill foran act relating to agricultural lands.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FORAN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS. SECTION 1. Section 205-4.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: "(a) Within the agricultural district, all lands with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating class A or B and for solar energy facilities, class B or C, shall be restricted to the following permitted uses: (1) Cultivation of crops, including crops for bioenergy, flowers, vegetables, foliage, fruits, forage, and timber; (2) Game and fish propagation; (3) Raising of livestock, including poultry, bees, fish, or other animal or aquatic life that are propagated for economic or personal use; (4) Farm dwellings, employee housing, farm buildings, or activities or uses related to farming and animal husbandry. For the purposes of this paragraph, "farm 2025-1532 SB443 SD1 SMA.docx liMIIHIHDilM Page 2 S.B. NO. S.D. dwelling" means a single-family dwelling located on and accessory to a farm, including clusters of single-family farm dwellings permitted within agricultural parks developed by the State, or where agricultural activity provides income to the family occupying the dwelling; (5) Public institutions and buildings that are necessary for agricultural practices; (6) Public and private open area types of recreational uses, including day camps, picnic grounds, parks, and riding stables, but not including dragstrips, airports, drive-in theaters, …
Sponsors
- Dela Cruz, Donovan (D, 17) · primary sponsor
- Henry Aquino (D, 19)
- Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
- Lorraine Inouye (D, 1)
- Michelle Kidani (D, 18)
- Donna Kim (D, 14)
- Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)
Latest actions
- : Re-Referred to WLA/EIG, WAM.
- : Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 409).
- : Senate Conferee(s) discharged.
- : Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- : Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 789).
- : Senate Conferees Appointed: Inouye Chair; Wakai, DeCoite Co-Chairs; DeCorte.
- : Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 779).
- : Senate disagrees with House amendments.
- : Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 648).
- : Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Marten excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
Votes
- Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Marten excused (2) (April 8, 2025): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
- CPC: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 2, 2025): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, (March 21, 2025): 45 yea, 1 nay, passed
- EEP: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 19, 2025): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- AGR: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 19, 2025): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading (February 28, 2025): 23 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Housing, Penalties, Agricultural Lands, Counties, Study, DOH, DOA
Common questions
- What is SB443?
- SB443 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Agricultural Lands.
- What does SB443 do?
- In its own words: A bill foran act relating to agricultural lands.
- What is the status of SB443?
- In committee as of April 17, 2026. Latest action: Re-Referred to WLA/EIG, WAM. (April 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB443?
- Dela Cruz, Donovan (D, 17), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB443?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=443&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.