Informing the Legislature that on June 27, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB427 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 236).

This bill (HB 427) renames Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to the "Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity" and updates the composition of its governing board to include biosecurity expertise. Key provisions require the board to have at least one member with biosecurity background, clarify membership from agricultural communities, and mandate hemp producers to report transportation to the renamed department. The bill directly affects department staff, board members, hemp producers, and agricultural stakeholders by formalizing biosecurity oversight. It does not create new programs but adjusts structural and reporting requirements within existing agricultural and biosecurity frameworks.