HB 427 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Summary

Part I: Renames the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Department) and the Board of Agriculture as the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Part II: Establishes a Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity. Part III: Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Part IV: Authorizes the Department to establish transitional facilities. Requires the Department to certify and train biosecurity compliance auditors to inspect imported plants and animals. Requires inspection of various items transported interisland. Increases penalties for illegally transporting plants, animals, and microorganisms. Part V: Authorizes the Department to enter into government‑industry agreements for readiness and response to unwanted organisms in the State. Authorizes biosecurity and pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests. Requires the Department to establish a pest dashboard by 12/1/2025. Part VI: Authorizes the Department to adopt rules to establish and enforce the Plant Care Component Program. Authorizes the Department to assess administrative penalties for the enforcement of the Plant Care Component Program. Part VII: Transfers the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department. Part VIII: Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Signed Jun 27, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB427_SD1 → HB427_SD2 · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill significantly expands Hawaii's biosecurity framework by renaming the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, clarifying board composition, and establishing a new Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity. It introduces transitional facilities for imported goods, creates an invasive species dashboard, and transfers invasive species council functions from DLNR to the new biosecurity department. The bill also updates enforcement penalties and adds emergency response provisions.

Scope change

The bill expands the department's authority from traditional agriculture to include broader biosecurity responsibilities, including invasive species management, pest control, and emergency response. It also transfers the invasive species council from DLNR to the new biosecurity department.

SCOPE

Renamed Department of Agriculture to Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, expanding its mandate beyond traditional agriculture to include invasive species and pest management.

Transferred invasive species council functions from Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

REQUIREMENT

Established a new Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity position to oversee biosecurity initiatives and coordinate emergency response efforts.

Created transitional facilities for imported goods to improve inspection efficiency while maintaining biosecurity standards.

Established an invasive species dashboard to provide real-time data on treatment areas to the public.

Authorized the department to establish emergency response teams and grant emergency quarantine powers during biosecurity emergencies.

Updated plant care component regulations to require certification and treatment for wood chips, compost, and filter socks to prevent pest introduction.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased fines for biosecurity violations from $50-$5,000 to $100-$10,000 for first offenses, and from $250-$15,000 to $500-$25,000 for repeat offenses.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'biosecurity inspector' and 'transitional facility' to support the new inspection and importation framework.

HB427_HD2 → HB427_SD1 · 11 edits

MAJOR

This bill significantly expands Hawaii's biosecurity framework by renaming the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, establishing a new Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity, and creating a Biosecurity Emergency Response Program. It introduces transitional facilities for inspecting imported goods, licenses private biosecurity inspectors, establishes an invasive species dashboard, and expands penalties for violations. The bill also creates a Plant Care Component Program to regulate wood chips and compost, and authorizes government-industry agreements for biosecurity readiness.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from general agricultural regulation to comprehensive biosecurity oversight, including new authority over imported goods, interisland transportation, and private sector partnerships for biosecurity enforcement.

SCOPE

Renamed Department of Agriculture to Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, and Board of Agriculture to Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity

REQUIREMENT

Established new Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity position to oversee biosecurity initiatives

Created Biosecurity Emergency Response Program with emergency response teams and volunteer disaster response personnel

Authorized establishment of transitional facilities for inspecting imported goods before delivery

Established invasive species dashboard to provide real-time data on treatment areas

Created Plant Care Component Program to regulate wood chips, compost, and filter socks

Required government-industry agreements for biosecurity readiness and response

Mandated rapid response quarantine authority for newly detected invasive species

ELIGIBILITY

Created new biosecurity inspector licensing program under Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

ENFORCEMENT

Increased penalties for biosecurity violations, with fines up to $25,000 for first offenses and $200,000 for class C felonies

TIMELINE

Set effective dates for various provisions, with most taking effect January 1, 2027, except plant care component program effective July 1, 2025

HB427 → HB427_CD1 · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly restructures Hawaii's biosecurity framework by renaming the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, creating a new Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity role, and establishing comprehensive emergency powers for pest control. The bill also authorizes private transitional facilities for inspecting imported goods, creates a pest dashboard for real-time tracking, and transfers invasive species council functions to the new department. These changes aim to improve Hawaii's ability to prevent and respond to pest outbreaks while modernizing regulatory oversight.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope from general agriculture oversight to include dedicated biosecurity functions, with new authority for emergency declarations, private sector partnerships, and enhanced enforcement mechanisms.

STRUCTURE

Created a new Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity position to oversee biosecurity initiatives and programs.

EMERGENCY

Established new biosecurity emergency declaration powers allowing the department to access funds, requisition property, and operate with exemptions from certain regulations during emergencies.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Authorized private transitional facilities for inspecting imported goods before they enter the state, modeled after New Zealand's system.

TECHNICAL

Mandated creation of a pest dashboard to provide real-time geographic data on pest infestations and treatment areas.

FISCAL

Reallocated funding for the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased penalties for biosecurity violations, with fines ranging from $100 to $200,000 depending on severity.

REQUIREMENT

Required biosecurity declaration forms for all passengers and crew entering Hawaii from outside the state.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'biosecurity compliance auditor' and 'transitional facility' to support the new inspection system.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Iwamoto, Marten voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (5) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).

lower

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Introduced

48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-25

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 220).

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 220) as amended in (CD 1).

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Tarnas, Yamashita, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Quinlan.

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Lee, C., Wakai, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole, Awa.

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-25-25 9:40AM; Conference Room 325.

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-24-25 9:30AM; Conference Room 325.

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-23-25 9:31AM; Conference Room 325.

upper

Apr 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-22-25 10:54AM; Conference Room 325.

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Amended

House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 635) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 11 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite, Lee, C..

upper

Mar 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM/JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-01-25 10:00AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 21, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN/TCA/CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1341) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Richards; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Rhoads.

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN/TCA/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-25 9:45AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to AEN/TCA/CPN, WAM/JDC.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 15).

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Feb 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos, Ward.

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4).

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 739) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Garcia; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Hashem.

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 85) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Jan 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Kusch, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to AGR, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

40 primary · 0 co-sponsors