Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB2321: Relating to the Two-lined Spittlebug.
Status: In committee, May 1, 2026
Establishes a two-year Two-Lined Spittlebug Response Pilot Program to mitigate and control the spread of the two-lined spittlebug . Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
What the bill says
A bill foran act relating to the two-lined spittlebug.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FORAN ACT RELATING TO THE TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUG. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the two-lined spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta) is an invasive insect that attacks key forage grasses used by the livestock ranching industry. In 2016, the State's first two-lined spittlebug infestation was discovered in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaii, where the pest damaged nearly two thousand acres of pastureland. Grasses damaged by two-lined spittlebug infestations are often unsalvageable and must be replanted. The legislature further finds that two-lined spittlebug infestations have reduced the quality of forage pastures in Hawaii by reducing their nutritional value, palatability, and productivity. Infestations of the pest also promote the establishment of weeds and lower-quality foraging grasses. The legislature additionally finds that livestock ranching is a highly productive and extremely valuable industry on all of the State's major islands. In 2023, the State's livestock industry had a production value of more than $50,000,000, with 2026-0848 SB2321 SD1 SMA.docx Page 2 S.B. NO. 2321 S.D. an inventory of over 143,000 head of beef cattle. Collectively, ranchlands cover almost twenty per cent of the State's land area. The legislature concludes that the expanding livestock industry serves as an economic engine for the State and is a major employer for local communities. This is particularly true on the island of Hawaii, where most of the State's …
Sponsors
- Mike Gabbard (D, 21) · primary sponsor
- Stanley Chang (D, 9)
- Dru Kanuha (D, 3)
- Angus McKelvey (D, 6)
- Tim Richards (D, SD-004)
- Joy San Buenaventura (D, 2)
- Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
Latest actions
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:00 PM; Conference Room 411.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 12:45 PM; Conference Room 325.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 9:15AM; Conference Room 325.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.
- : Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 11:00AM; Conference Room 325.
- : Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 714).
- : Senate Conferees Appointed: Gabbard Chair; Richards Co-Chair; Rhoads.
- : Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).
Votes
- Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1) (April 9, 2026): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 7, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (March 24, 2026): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
- AGR: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 20, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading (March 10, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 4, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, The Two-Lined Spittlebug, Appropriations, Counties, Study, DOA, Reports
Common questions
- What is SB2321?
- SB2321 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the Two-lined Spittlebug.
- What does SB2321 do?
- In its own words: A bill foran act relating to the two-lined spittlebug.
- What is the status of SB2321?
- In committee as of May 1, 2026. Latest action: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:00 PM; Conference Room 411. (May 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB2321?
- Mike Gabbard (D, 21), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB2321?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2321&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.