SB 765 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO BEEKEEPING.

Summary

Clarifies the registration process for beekeepers with the Department of Agriculture. Requires the Department of Agriculture to provide guidance and support to registered beekeepers to help beekeepers adhere to certain industry standards and best management practices. Establishes a limitation on liability for any registered beekeeper who follows industry standards and best practices. Appropriates funds. Takes effect 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

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What changed between versions

SB765 → SB765_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated to reflect its first Senate reading (SD1) with new metadata and dates. The most significant substantive change is the effective date, which was moved from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050, likely to align with a future fiscal year or legislative cycle. Minor text edits clarified the definition of 'bee' and the confidentiality of registrant information.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on beekeeping registration and liability, but the delayed effective date significantly alters when the new rules and funding provisions begin to apply.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050, delaying the implementation of all new registration and liability rules by several years.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'bee' was updated to explicitly include 'all life stages of the common domesticated European honeybee' for clarity.

REQUIREMENT

The requirement for the Department of Agriculture to keep registration information confidential was slightly rephrased to clarify that registrant names and addresses must be made publicly available.

TECHNICAL

Header metadata was updated to reflect the bill status as 'SD1' with new revision numbers and timestamps.

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/CPN.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 39) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/CPN.

upper

Jan 27, 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, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Rhoads ; 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 01-27-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to AEN, WAM/CPN.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

7 primary · 3 co-sponsors