SB 765 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO BEEKEEPING.

Summary

Clarifies the registration process for beekeepers with the Department of Agriculture. Requires the Department of Agriculture to provide guidance and support to registered beekeepers to help beekeepers adhere to certain industry standards and best management practices. Establishes a limitation on liability for any registered beekeeper who follows industry standards and best practices. Appropriates funds. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Feb 5, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB765 → SB765_SD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill introduces a registration system for beekeepers in Hawaii, establishes industry standards for beekeeping practices, and creates a liability protection for registered beekeepers who follow those standards. The bill also creates an apiary program with specific staff positions and appropriates funding for these initiatives.

Scope change

The bill expands the Department of Agriculture's role from general management to active support and guidance for beekeepers, with specific registration requirements and liability protections.

REQUIREMENT

New registration requirement for beekeepers with the Department of Agriculture, including specific information that must be provided.

Establishment of specific industry standards and best management practices that registered beekeepers must follow, including hive placement, sanitation, and pest management.

Registration period changed from one year to five years with renewal at the end of the five-year period.

ENFORCEMENT

Liability protection for registered beekeepers who follow industry standards, except in cases of gross negligence or wanton acts.

FISCAL

Appropriation of funds to establish an apiary program with three new positions: one apiary specialist, one apiary planner, and two apiary technicians.

DEFINITION

New statutory definitions for key terms including 'apiary', 'bee', 'colony', 'disease', 'flyover barrier', and 'hive'.

TIMELINE

Bill effective date set to July 1, 2050, which appears to be a placeholder or error as it is 25 years in the future.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 39) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/CPN.

upper

Jan 27, 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, Richards, DeCoite, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Rhoads ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-27-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to AEN, WAM/CPN.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

7 primary · 3 co-sponsors