SB 2712 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO HEMP.

Summary

Establishes the Hawaii Hemp Special Fund. Establishes the Hemp Paper Packaging Pilot Program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

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What changed between versions

SB2712 → SB2712_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to broaden its scope from exclusively 'fiber-only' industrial hemp to include all non-cannabinoid industrial hemp uses, such as seeds, oil, and food. The legislative intent was expanded to support a wider range of agricultural products, and the fund name was updated to reflect this broader purpose. Additionally, the effective date was significantly delayed to July 1, 2050, and the sunset provision was extended to June 30, 2030.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a narrow focus on fiber production to a comprehensive program covering all industrial hemp uses (seeds, oil, food, etc.) that are not cannabinoids.

SCOPE

The definition of the program and fund was changed from 'fiber-only' to include all industrial hemp uses like seeds, oil, food, and packaging.

TIMELINE

The bill's effective date was moved from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050.

The sunset date for the legislation was extended from June 30, 2030, to June 30, 2030 (note: the original text showed a repeal date of 2030, the amendment kept this but changed the start date, effectively lengthening the total duration of the law).

REQUIREMENT

The requirement to establish a specific 'industrial hemp license surcharge' was removed from the list of purposes.

ELIGIBILITY

New eligibility requirements were added for grant applicants, including a mandate to demonstrate successful prior cultivation of hemp before January 1, 2025.

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 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2645) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

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

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 3:15PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to AEN, WAM/JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors