SB 678 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Summary

Establishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Requires a portion of the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to be deposited into the Special Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

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

SB678 → SB678_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill establishes a special fund for agricultural development and food security, requiring that a portion of taxes on fossil fuels be deposited into it. It adds new requirements for grant applicants, including licensing, detailed project plans, and indemnification clauses. The effective date of the bill was significantly delayed from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050.

Scope change

The bill now includes a new provision for procuring locally produced agricultural products during federally declared disasters or state emergencies to address food insecurity.

FISCAL

Added a new requirement that 1% of the tax on each million British thermal units be deposited into the agricultural development and food security special fund.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection requiring grant applicants to submit detailed plans, agree to indemnify the state, and comply with specific eligibility criteria such as licensing and non-discrimination.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill's effective date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050.

SCOPE

Added a new purpose for the fund related to procuring local agricultural products during disasters or emergencies to stabilize markets.

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 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 163) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-27-25 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