SB 3256 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Summary

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program, to consist of a reimbursement program and a grant program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, to assist certain farmers and livestock producers with transportation costs for agricultural products, inputs, supplies, and production and distribution of agricultural commodities. Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Tags: Agriculture

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB3256 → SB3256_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to transition from a reimbursement model to a grant-based system, shifting the focus from compensating costs to subsidizing transportation for small-scale and rural farmers. The effective date was significantly delayed from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050, likely to allow time for rulemaking and program development. Several sections were reorganized and clarified to better define eligibility and administrative procedures.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a general reimbursement program for geographically disadvantaged farmers to a targeted grant program specifically for small-scale farmers, ranchers, food hubs, and producers in rural or underserved areas.

FISCAL

Changed the program mechanism from 'reimbursements' for eligible costs to 'grants' to subsidize transportation costs.

TIMELINE

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

ELIGIBILITY

Explicitly defined the target audience as small-scale farmers, ranchers, food hubs, and agricultural producers in rural or underserved areas.

REQUIREMENT

Refined the list of covered items to include raw or processed products, inputs, equipment, and movement to/from necessary destinations.

TECHNICAL

Updated internal bill metadata, including author names, revision numbers, and formatting styles.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.

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.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2491) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 13, 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, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-13-26 3:10PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to AEN, WAM.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors