SB 2333 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO NEONICOTINOIDS.

Summary

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale, possession, or use of a pesticide containing one or more neonicotinoid pesticides, under certain conditions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to evaluate the potential impacts of and adopt any necessary control measures for neonicotinoid pesticide use on pollinating insects, native migratory and resident birds, aquatic organisms, and human health. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Environment

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 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2333 → SB2333_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a House bill to a Senate committee version (SD1) with significant updates to the effective date and a major expansion of the ban on neonicotinoid pesticides. The most critical change is the new prohibition on the sale, distribution, possession, or use of seeds treated with neonicotinoids, which was not explicitly included in the previous version. Additionally, the law's effective date was moved from immediate approval to July 1, 2050, providing a long lead time for agricultural adjustments.

Scope change

The scope of the ban was expanded to explicitly include the sale, distribution, possession, and use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds, whereas the previous version primarily focused on the use of the pesticide itself.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the act was changed from 'upon approval' to 'July 1, 2050', significantly delaying when the restrictions take effect.

REQUIREMENT

A new provision explicitly bans the sale, distribution, possession, or use of seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides, extending the ban beyond just the application of the chemical.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of exemptions for the ban was streamlined; the specific exception for rapid response efforts to control invasive species was rephrased to clarify that the ban applies to sale, distribution, possession, and use, not just use.

TECHNICAL

The bill header was updated to reflect the Senate committee version (SD1) and the sponsor was changed from Chris Kobayashi to Margaret McGary.

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 CPN/WAM.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2492) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN/WAM.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 2 No(es): Senator(s) Richards, DeCoite; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN will hold a public decision making on 02-11-26 4:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee on AEN has deleted the measure from decision making scheduled on 02-09-26 3:01PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to AEN, CPN/WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor