SB 242 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.

Summary

Prohibits foreign entities from owning, leasing, or holding a controlling interest in more than an unspecified number of acres of agricultural land. Limits the lease term for agricultural land by foreign entities. Requires foreign entities that own or lease interest in agricultural lands to file an annual report with the Department of Agriculture. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB242_SD1 → SB242_SD2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to update version numbers and dates, slightly broaden the language to refer to the 'State' rather than just 'Hawaii,' and significantly strengthen enforcement by splitting the penalty clause into two distinct parts: reverting ownership and returning exchanged funds. The effective date was moved from Section 4 to a new Section 5, while Section 4 now includes a 'contract impairment' clause to protect existing agreements from being invalidated by the new law.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly broadened by changing references from 'Hawaii's' to 'the State's' agricultural land, and a new provision was added to protect existing contracts from being voided by the new restrictions.

TECHNICAL

Updated version numbers, dates, and line item identifiers throughout the document.

DEFINITION

Changed references from 'Hawaii's' to 'the State's' in the legislative findings and purpose sections.

ENFORCEMENT

Split the penalty clause into two specific subsections: one requiring the return of land/leases and another requiring the return of any money exchanged in the illegal transaction.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new Section 4 stating that the Act cannot be applied in a way that violates existing contracts or the Constitution.

TIMELINE

Moved the effective date provision from Section 4 to a new Section 5.

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

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to AGR/WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 113) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Aquino, Chang, DeCoite, Elefante, Fukunaga, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kim, Moriwaki, Richards, Wakai. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 11 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Inouye; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Kanuha, Kim, Wakai, Fevella ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Lee, C..

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Chang, San Buenaventura ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-28-25 10:14AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN/TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 527) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 10, 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, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Richards, DeCoite ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN/TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 1:01PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Committee

Referred to AEN/TCA, JDC/WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 13, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 1 co-sponsor