SB 242 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.

Summary

Prohibits foreign entities from owning, leasing, or holding a controlling interest in more than an unspecified number of acres of agricultural land. Limits the lease term for agricultural land by foreign entities. Requires foreign entities that own or lease interest in agricultural lands to file an annual report with the Department of Agriculture. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB242_SD1 → SB242_SD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill version changed from SD1 to SD2, which appears to be a formatting and metadata update rather than substantive policy changes. The core provisions regarding foreign ownership limits, disclosure requirements, and enforcement remain identical in both versions. The primary differences are document metadata, formatting artifacts, and minor text normalization (such as replacing 'the State' with 'Hawaii's' in some instances).

TECHNICAL

Document metadata and formatting changed, including header information, page numbers, and file references.

Text formatting normalized with some instances of 'the State' changed to 'Hawaii's' for consistency.

New metadata fields added including timestamps, revision numbers, and summary description.

Removed document-specific artifacts like file paths and page footers from the original SD1 version.

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

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to AGR/WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 113) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Aquino, Chang, DeCoite, Elefante, Fukunaga, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kim, Moriwaki, Richards, Wakai. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 28, 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, Inouye; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Kanuha, Kim, Wakai, Fevella ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Lee, C..

upper

Feb 28, 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, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Chang, San Buenaventura ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-28-25 10:14AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN/TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 527) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.

upper

Feb 11, 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., DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN/TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 1:01PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to AEN/TCA, JDC/WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 13, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 1 co-sponsor