SB 2309 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS.

Summary

Authorizes the Agricultural Loan Division of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to sell portions of its loan portfolio to permitted third parties, with proceeds to be deposited into the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds out of the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund to increase its expenditure ceiling and thereby expand access to agricultural loan financing and support local food production. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Last action Feb 11, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2309 → SB2309_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill shifts from requiring the Agricultural Loan Division to sell loan portfolio assets to authorizing them to do so, giving the agency more flexibility. The effective date of the law is delayed significantly from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050, likely to align with future budget cycles or strategic planning. The bill also updates the report title and description to reflect this authorization rather than a mandate.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a mandatory requirement for the agency to sell assets to a discretionary authorization, allowing the agency to decide if and when to proceed with the sales.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the obligation from 'Require' the division to sell loan portfolios to 'Authorize' the division to sell them, giving the agency discretion.

TIMELINE

Delayed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050.

TECHNICAL

Updated the report title and description to accurately reflect the change from a requirement to an authorization.

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 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2184) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 4, 2026

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

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to AEN, WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors