SB 1657 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Summary

Authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire by condemnation any real property or interest in real property, under certain conditions. Prohibits any real property acquired by the Corporation by condemnation from subsequently being transferred or taken for any other public use without the Corporation's consent. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB1657_SD1 → SB1657_SD2 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This revision updates the Agribusiness Development Corporation's powers to include coordinating with federal farm credit programs, granting purchase options for projects, and providing advisory services. It also expands the scope of grants to include expanding and altering existing agricultural enterprises. A significant change involves the condemnation of property, which now explicitly prohibits the transfer of such land for any other public use without the corporation's consent, ensuring the land remains dedicated to agribusiness purposes.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include new operational powers for the corporation, such as managing farm credit coordination and altering existing agricultural enterprises, while adding a specific restriction on how condemned property can be used in the future.

SCOPE

The corporation is now authorized to coordinate with federal and state farm credit programs to support agricultural financing.

The corporation can now grant options to purchase projects or renew leases, providing more flexibility in project management.

The corporation is authorized to provide advisory, training, and technical assistance services to public and private entities.

ELIGIBILITY

Grant eligibility was broadened to include the expansion of established agricultural enterprises and the alteration of existing ones, not just new crops or products.

REQUIREMENT

A new restriction was added to the condemnation power: real property acquired by eminent domain cannot be transferred or taken for any other public use without the corporation's consent, preventing future repurposing of the land.

The prohibition on modifying water rights for organizations benefiting people of Hawaiian ancestry was clarified by removing the word 'which' to improve legal clarity.

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 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick, Shimizu voting no (2) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excused (5).

lower

Mar 21, 2025

Committee

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1461) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.

lower

Mar 18, 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, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Shimizu; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1225) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.

lower

Mar 12, 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; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to AGR, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 387) 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: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 27, 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

Feb 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-27-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 450) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to EDT, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors