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SB2178Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Industrial Hemp.

EngrossedHouse Agriculture

Introduced by Tim Richards, District 4

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Establishes an Industrial Hemp Program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity that includes education and support for non-cannabinoid industrial hemp cultivation and use. Establishes the Industrial Hemp Program Advisory Board to develop a strategic plan to establish and expand the processing infrastructure and commercialization of industrial hemp. Requires the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to support research and development focused on local adaptation, sustainability, and economic development goals. Requires DAB to promote partnerships with Native Hawaiian practitioners, cooperatives, and aina-based programs. Adopts state building codes for hemp-based materials, including hempcrete. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Where it stands

Referred to AGR/WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 17

March 12, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended · March 4, 2026

5

Yes

0

No

0

Absent or Not Voting

5 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

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See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Joy San Buenaventura2Yes
Stanley Chang9Yes
Karl Rhoads13Yes
Mike Gabbard21Yes
Brenton Awa23Yes

Bill history

  1. Pending Introduction.

  2. Introduced and passed First Reading.

  3. Referred to AEN/EDU/HWN, WAM/JDC.

  4. The committee(s) on AEN/EDU/HWN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

  5. 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.

  6. The committee(s) on HWN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HWN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Richards, Lamosao, Ihara, Keohokalole, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

  7. The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Hashimoto.

  8. Reported from AEN/EDU/HWN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2481) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

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

  10. The committee(s) on WAM/JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-04-26 10:35AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

  11. The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

  12. The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

  13. Reported from WAM/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2908) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.

  14. One Day Notice 03-10-26.

  15. Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Gabbard. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

  16. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 190) in amended form (SD 1).

  17. Pass First Reading

  18. Referred to AGR/WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 17

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