Bills Passed

This section lists bills of interest passed by the 2025 Hawaiʻi Legislature in key policy areas. For each bill, you’ll find the measure number, a very brief description, and a link to the official bill page.

📝 What Happens Now?

• If a bill was sent to the Governor on or before April 14, 2025 (10+ days before the session ends), the Governor has 10 days to sign or veto it. If no action is taken, the bill automatically becomes law.
• If a bill was sent to the Governor after April 14, 2025 (less than 10 days before the session ends), the Governor has until July 9, 2025 to sign or veto it. If no action is taken by then, it automatically becomes law.
• If the Governor intends to veto a bill, they must notify the Legislature by June 24, 2025.
• On June 6, Governor Green released a list of **list of 19 bills he intends to veto**.
• Veto must be and delivered by July 9, 2025. The Legislature can override a veto in a special session with a 2/3 vote in each chamber.

Agriculture and Food Systems

• Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC)
  • SB1186 – Sustainable Food Systems: Establishes Statewide Interagency Food Systems Coordination Team and the Interagency Food Systems Working Group within ADC.
• Agricultural Development & Financing
  • Act 069 - HB984 – Agricultural Loans: Updates loan programs; includes food hubs; new large-scale import replacement loan class.
  • SB1249 – Agriculture Crimes: Creates agricultural crime prevention program; defines penalties.
  • Act 184 - SB865 – Extension Services: Funds a permanent extension agent (UH CTAHR – Kona).
  • HB774 – Value-added Products: Creates food and product innovation network (ADC).
  • Act 185 - SB693 – Food Hub Pilot: Continued funding for food hub pilot program.
• HIDOE - Local Food Procurement & School Meals
  • Act 137 - HB110 – Local Agricultural Products in DOE: Adjusts benchmarks/timelines for local sourcing.
  • Act 139 - SB1300 – School Meals: Expands free school meal coverage.
  • Act 134 - HB1293 – DOE Procurement: Eases procurement rules for local food purchases.
• Labeling & Marketing
  • HB534 – Ahi Labeling: Requires origin labeling for raw ahi in processed foods.
  • Act 126 - HB1291 – Coffee Labeling: Extends false labeling law to include roasted coffee.
  • Veto List - HB496 – Māmaki Tea Labeling: Restricts use of terms unless 100% Hawaii-grown.
  • Act 195 - HB650 – Sea Salt: Education/support on FDA guidance for colored sea salt.
• Land Use & Water for Agriculture
  • HB778 – Integrated Land Use: OPSD study of ag district land use.
  • SB739 – Land exchange: Allows land swaps for ag lands vs. housing.
  • Act 186 - HB1365 – Non-potable Water Wells: Pilot in Panaewa Agricultural Park.
  • Act 179 - SB1304 - Pesticide Drift Monitoring: Funds to continue HDOA pesticide drift monitoring

Biosecurity, Invasive Species, and Plant Protection (DOA)

• HB427 – Biosecurity Reforms: Renames DOA, adds biosecurity programs, establishes dashboard, inspections, and penalties.
• Act 190 -SB330 – Federal Quarantine Enforcement: Authorizes DOA to enforce federal quarantines.
• SB140 – Firewood Import Ban: Bans non-local firewood unless treated or authorized.