SB 2156 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Summary

Permits film production on certain lands zoned for agricultural use under certain conditions, including obtaining land use special permits. Establishes the Agricultural Film Production Land Use Oversight Committee within the Creative Industries Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish film permit application requirements and processes, facilitate the issuance of special permits for film production on agricultural zoned parcels, and advise and make recommendations relating to the regulation of film productions on agricultural zoned lands. Requires DBEDT to adopt rules. Requires DBEDT to consult with state and county agencies to issue permits for film production within an agricultural district using the consolidated film permit process under certain circumstances. Includes temporary filming activities as a permissible conditional accessory use of lands within the agricultural district. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2156 → SB2156_SD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision shifts the legislative focus from a general film production framework to a specific strategy for supporting rural agricultural resilience. It adds new findings that film production on agricultural land can boost local economies and creates a dedicated oversight committee to manage these activities. The changes also update the legal sections to clarify that film production must be secondary to farming and establish a new consolidated permitting process.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include temporary film production on agricultural lands as a means to support rural economic resilience, while maintaining the requirement that such activities must not impair long-term agricultural productivity.

SCOPE

Added a legislative finding that responsible film production on agricultural land contributes to rural economic resilience by creating jobs and supporting local businesses.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that film production on agricultural parcels must be 'accessory and secondary' to the primary agricultural use of the land.

Changed the specific permit section referenced in the bill from section 205-6 to section 201-14, which introduces a new consolidated film permit processing system.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a new 'Agricultural Film Production Land Use Oversight Committee' to coordinate regulations and advise on permits for film production on agricultural land.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from immediate approval to July 1, 2050.

DEFINITION

Added a definition for 'Film production area' to clarify that it refers to designated areas within agricultural zoned parcels where filming is permitted.

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 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from EDT/WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2688) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

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, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT/WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-19-26 1:02PM; CR 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDT/WLA, WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

4 primary · 2 co-sponsors