SB 2097 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

SB 2097 creates the Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, providing state funding to support sustainable food system initiatives. The program directly affects agricultural producers, food distributors, and community organizations working on climate-resilient farming and food access projects. Key provisions include the department administering the grants and allocating appropriated funds for projects that enhance sustainability and resilience in local food systems. This bill establishes a concrete funding mechanism to advance sustainable food infrastructure without specifying particular projects or outcomes.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2097 → SB2097_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand the scope of the Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program by adding a new category for planning, technical assistance, and consulting costs. Additionally, the effective date of the law was significantly delayed from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050, and the bill's authorship was transferred to a different legislator.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to explicitly include funding for planning, technical assistance, and consulting services required for project development and evaluation, in addition to equipment, personnel, and training.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new eligible expense category covering costs for planning, technical assistance, and consulting services to support project development and implementation.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the application requirements to mandate a detailed description of eligible climate adaptation technologies or practices, such as precision agriculture and renewable energy systems.

Required the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt specific rules defining 'climate adaptation, resiliency, and food system infrastructure' and outlining how to carry out the section's purposes.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata including the author name, bill type designation, and revision numbers to reflect the first Senate District committee version.

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 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2233) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

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, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Committee

Referred to AEN, WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors