SB 686 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE PROGRAM.

Summary

Establishes short-term management initiatives for the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Program. Establishes standards for the usage of grants awarded pursuant to the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Program. Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for activities and positions related to coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation control. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

SB686 → SB686_SD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from a House bill to a Senate committee version (SD1), shifting the legislative origin and updating metadata. Substantively, the bill now clarifies that funding is for a 'program' rather than just a 'response' and adds a finding that the beetle issue is a statewide concern. The most significant change is the replacement of specific dollar amounts with blank lines, indicating that exact funding figures are to be determined later. Additionally, the effective date was moved from July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2050, and new requirements were added for grant applicants regarding licensing, planning, and indemnification.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly refined by changing the context from a general 'response' to a formal 'response program' and explicitly declaring the issue a matter of statewide concern under the state constitution.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill type from 'HB' (House Bill) to 'SMA' (Senate Majority Amendment) and updated the bill number to 'SD1'.

DEFINITION

Changed the text from 'coconut rhinoceros beetle response' to 'coconut rhinoceros beetle response program' to formalize the initiative.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new finding that the management initiatives are a matter of statewide concern pursuant to the Hawaii State Constitution.

Added new requirements for grant applicants, including the need for proper licensing, a detailed project plan, and an agreement to indemnify the state.

FISCAL

Removed specific dollar amounts for training, canopy treatments, canine inspections, and research positions, replacing them with blank lines to be filled in later.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2025, to July 31, 2050.

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 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Committee

Reported from HRE/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 233) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HRE recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HRE were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, Fukunaga, Hashimoto, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 3, 2025

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

Jan 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HRE/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 1:50PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to HRE/AEN, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.