SCR 41 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests state and county agencies to work with community organizations to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The bill targets approximately 32% of households currently experiencing food insecurity, with particular focus on families with children, young adults, and historically marginalized communities. Key provisions require the strategy to be data-driven and equity-focused, addressing barriers to food access, analyzing economic and climate trends, and including community participation in planning. Agencies must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Mar 10, 2026 Signed Apr 27, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SCR41_HD1 → SCR41_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the scope of agencies responsible for developing a statewide food security strategy, explicitly adding those representing individuals with disabilities. The timeline for submitting the final strategy report was accelerated from the 2028 legislative session to the 2027 session. Additionally, the specific requirements for the strategy were reorganized to include detailed sub-clauses addressing the unique needs of people with disabilities, emergency preparedness, and alignment with existing programs.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly includes organizations representing individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs as key stakeholders in the strategy development, and mandates that the strategy specifically address the unique barriers these populations face.

SCOPE

Added specific requirements to analyze economic, climatic, and demographic trends, including impacts of climate change and supply-chain disruptions.

Inserted a new requirement to identify strategies that simultaneously decrease food insecurity and boost local agricultural production.

Expanded the list of participating agencies to include the State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Disability and Communication Access Board.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific sub-clauses mandating that the strategy consider the needs of individuals with disabilities, ensure alignment with existing disability support programs, and incorporate emergency preparedness for food access disruptions.

TIMELINE

Changed the deadline for submitting the comprehensive food security strategy from the 2028 legislative session to the 2027 legislative session.

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

Amendments

Apr 28, 2026

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 863).

upper

Apr 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Adopted with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Todd excused (1).

lower

Apr 27, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to AGR, referral sheet 34

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on ECD as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3).

lower

Apr 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2201-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to ECD.

lower

Apr 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Lowen, Perruso, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Kahaloa, Quinlan.

lower

Apr 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to AGR, ECD, referral sheet 28

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 450) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from GVO/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3504) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Apr 1, 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, Richards, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite, Awa.

upper

Apr 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Mar 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 04-01-26 3:30PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to GVO/AEN.

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Offered.

upper

3 primary · 2 co-sponsors