SB 2 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO TREES.

Summary

Establishes a two-year Fruit Tree Harvest Pilot Program. Requires state agencies, to the extent practicable, to plant fruit trees in new or renovated landscaping that includes trees within the boundaries of the program. Authorizes persons to harvest fruit from those fruit trees. Provides that the State is not liable for any injuries or illnesses resulting from the harvesting or ingesting of fruit, including food-borne illness. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 8, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2 → SB2_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a general state requirement to a time-limited pilot program restricted to specific districts. It now explicitly limits liability only for injuries occurring under this pilot program and sets a future date for a legislative report on the program's success.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed from applying to all state landscaping projects to only those within specific districts outlined in HRS 4-1(4)(D) and (E).

SCOPE

Changed the requirement to plant fruit trees from applying to all state landscaping to only new or renovated projects within specific districts.

ENFORCEMENT

Limited the state's immunity from liability to injuries or illnesses specifically resulting from the new pilot program, rather than all fruit tree harvesting under the original section.

TIMELINE

Established a two-year pilot program that must cease to exist by July 30, 2027.

Changed the effective date of the Act from immediate approval to January 1, 2491.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for state agencies to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature by early 2027.

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

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 409) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard, Fevella.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to GVO, WAM/JDC.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 8, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors