SB 2323 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Summary

Establishes the Farmland Transition Commission to examine barriers certain farmers face when trying to purchase or access farmland and provide recommendations on possible incentives or policies to assist these individuals in purchasing or accessing farmland. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Sunsets 12/31/2032. 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 15, 2026 Last action Feb 11, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2323 → SB2323_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision removes specific age restrictions (25-40) from the new Farmland Transition Commission, expanding its scope to address barriers for all individuals seeking farmland. The commission's membership composition was significantly altered to replace appointed farmer representatives with invited representatives from statewide organizations and to add a new role for evaluating conservation easements. Additionally, the bill's effective date was delayed from July 2026 to July 2050, pushing the implementation of these agricultural equity measures further into the future.

Scope change

The bill's scope was broadened by removing age limits on individuals facing barriers to purchasing farmland and adding new mandates to evaluate conservation easements and lease-to-fee conversion programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the specific age requirement of 25 to 40 years old for individuals facing barriers to purchasing or accessing farmland, expanding the commission's focus to all individuals.

REQUIREMENT

Added two new duties for the commission: examining state-funded agricultural conservation easements and lease-to-fee conversion programs, and evaluating the effectiveness of agricultural park lots for young farmers.

Changed the commission's membership structure by replacing appointed county farmer representatives with invited representatives from statewide farmer organizations and adding a new member slot for other appropriate agencies.

TIMELINE

Delayed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050, significantly postponing the commission's operational start.

TECHNICAL

Updated formatting and capitalization, such as changing 'HB' to 'SD' for the bill type and standardizing the capitalization of 'university of Hawaii'.

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. 2182) 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

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors