SB 1085 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Summary

Establishes a pilot program within the Department of Agriculture to determine feasibility and prepare an environmental impact statement to drill non-potable water wells on individual parcels at Panaewa agricultural park and Panaewa farm lots. Requires DOA to consult and coordinate with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on the location and distribution of water from the wells before and after the completion of the EIS. Appropriates funds. 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

SB1085 → SB1085_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to establish a pilot program within the Department of Agriculture to determine the feasibility of drilling non-potable water wells at Panaewa agricultural park and farm lots. It adds a requirement for the department to consult with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands regarding water distribution and changes the effective date from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a feasibility study and mandatory coordination with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, shifting from a direct appropriation for an environmental impact statement to a structured pilot program.

REQUIREMENT

Established a pilot program to determine feasibility and prepare an environmental impact statement for non-potable water wells.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to consult and coordinate with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on water location and distribution.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2050.

SCOPE

Updated the description to reflect the new pilot program structure and coordination requirements.

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 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN/WTL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 606) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WTL recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WTL were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Chang, McKelvey, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 12, 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

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN/WTL has scheduled a public hearing on 02-12-25 1:05PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to AEN/WTL, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors