SB 2760 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Summary
Clarifies that the importation of any item or material infested or infected with an insect or other animal, disease, or pest is prohibited. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules to designate certain restricted articles to require a compliance agreement prior to importation. Clarifies that the State is not responsible for any economic loss or damages related to any actions by the Department under chapter 150A, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Authorizes the Department to administratively inspect any article imported or moved into the State from the continental United States or between the islands of the State. Authorizes the Department to compel the quarantine of certain non-agricultural items or materials. Allows for certain interim rules adopted by the Department to be effective for up to two years. Clarifies penalties for various quarantine and import law violations. Appropriates funds to establish one full-time equivalent position within the Department to assist the Plant Industry Division Administrator in drafting, reviewing, and updating certain administrative rules. 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
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2760 SB2760_SD1 · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates the legislative metadata to reflect a Senate version (SD1) and amends Hawaii's invasive species laws to strengthen biosecurity. Key changes include clarifying the authority to quarantine pest-infested areas, expanding the definition of prohibited items to explicitly include 'materials,' and increasing penalties for intentional violations from a misdemeanor to a class C felony with higher fines. The effective date was also significantly altered to July 1, 2050.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by explicitly including 'materials' alongside 'items' in the definitions of prohibited goods and quarantine subjects, thereby broadening the range of potential biosecurity threats the department can regulate.
REQUIREMENT

Added the word 'material' to the list of prohibited items and subjects of quarantine to ensure broader coverage of potential invasive species carriers.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased penalties for knowingly transporting prohibited pests or restricted organisms from a misdemeanor with fines up to $20,000 to a class C felony with fines up to $200,000.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill's effective date from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata, including sponsor names, revision numbers, and formatting, to reflect the Senate version (SD1).

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
4
Committee
5
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/CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2678) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Lamosao, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
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; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Rhoads ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on AEN/CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 10:00AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
upper
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to AEN/CPN, WAM/JDC.
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
Introduced.
upper
6 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors