SB 661 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO PLANT-BASED BUILDING MATERIALS.

Summary

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for the establishment and operation of programs relating to the development of biocements and hemp- and bamboo-based building materials. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB661 → SB661_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to include 'biocements' alongside hemp and bamboo as eligible materials for state funding. The effective date of the legislation was significantly delayed from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050, likely to align with the longer development timeline required for biocement technology. Several administrative metadata fields, such as bill numbers and revision dates, were also updated to reflect the new version.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include biocements as a funded material, broadening the range of plant-based building materials supported by the state.

SCOPE

Added 'biocements' to the list of materials eligible for funding and program development, expanding the bill's focus beyond just hemp and bamboo.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050, pushing the implementation of funded programs by several years.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata including the bill type (from SB to SD1), revision numbers, and associated dates to reflect the new version of the document.

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 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 40) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

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 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-29-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to AEN, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

2 primary · 1 co-sponsor