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SB242Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Foreign Ownership Of Agricultural Land.

EngrossedHouse Agriculture

Introduced by Mike Gabbard, District 21

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Prohibits foreign entities from owning, leasing, or holding a controlling interest in more than an unspecified number of acres of agricultural land. Limits the lease term for agricultural land by foreign entities. Requires foreign entities that own or lease interest in agricultural lands to file an annual report with the Department of Agriculture. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Where it stands

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

December 8, 2025

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · February 28, 2025

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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One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

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/TCA, JDC/WAM.

  4. The committee(s) on AEN/TCA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 1:01PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

  5. The committee(s) on AEN deferred the measure until 02-07-25 1:05PM; CR 224.

  6. The committee(s) on TCA deferred the measure until 02-11-25 3:02PM; CR 224.

  7. The committee(s) on AEN deferred the measure until 02-10-25 1:01PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.

  8. The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Richards, DeCoite ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

  9. The committee(s) on TCA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TCA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Kanuha ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

  10. Reported from AEN/TCA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 527) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM.

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

  12. The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-28-25 10:14AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

  13. Public notice requirement waived pursuant to Senate Rule 21.

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

  15. The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 11 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Inouye; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Kanuha, Kim, Wakai, Fevella ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Lee, C..

  16. Reported from JDC/WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1054) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).

  17. 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.

  18. Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Aquino, Chang, DeCoite, Elefante, Fukunaga, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kim, Moriwaki, Richards, Wakai. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

  19. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 113) in amended form (SD 2).

  20. Pass First Reading

  21. Referred to AGR/WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19

  22. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

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