SB 2006 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO FARM EMPLOYEE HOUSING.

Summary

Clarifies that a "farm dwelling" permitted in an agricultural district includes a single-family farm dwelling with an accessory employee housing structure, subject to certain restrictions. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2006_SD1 → SB2006_SD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the effective date of the law to March 22, 2075, and clarifies that 'farm dwellings' in agricultural districts include single-family homes with accessory employee housing structures. It also adjusts the acreage requirement for agricultural-energy enterprises, changing the threshold from 'no less than' to 'not less than' ninety percent, and updates several section references and formatting details.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on agricultural and renewable energy regulations, but the applicability of the 'farm dwelling' definition has been explicitly broadened to include accessory employee housing.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from immediate approval to March 22, 2075.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'farm dwelling' was clarified to explicitly include a single-family farm dwelling with an accessory employee housing structure.

REQUIREMENT

The acreage requirement for agricultural-energy enterprises was adjusted from 'no less than' to 'not less than' ninety percent of total acreage.

TECHNICAL

Various section references and formatting were updated to align with current statutory codes.

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 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to HSG/WAL, AGR, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 147) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

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 26, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-26-26 10:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from AEN/HOU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2566) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 12, 2026

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, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HOU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HOU were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Chang, Hashimoto, Elefante, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN/HOU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-12-26 1:05PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

Referred to AEN/HOU, JDC.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

4 primary · 2 co-sponsors