SB2319 - Relating to Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Position
Summary
Hawaii Senate Bill 2319 converts a temporary grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to a permanent full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position and appropriates funds for this position. The bill passed both chambers with strong support (Senate 24-0-1, House committee 15-0-1) and was transmitted to the Governor for signature.
What changed
Hawaii SB2319 amends the state's administrative structure by permanently establishing a grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity that was previously temporary. The measure provides formal legislative appropriation for the 1.0 FTE position.
The passage of this bill has minimal regulatory implications for external parties, as it represents an internal government staffing and funding action. No new compliance obligations, reporting requirements, or regulatory frameworks are established. The primary impact is on state government personnel administration and budget allocation within the agriculture department.
What to do next
- Monitor for gubernatorial action on SB2319
- Review agency staffing classifications for compliance with permanent position requirements
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Hawaii / SB2319 Passed SB2319 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-06
Relating To The Department Of Agriculture And Biosecurity.
Appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and converts the position from temporary to permanent. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Bill Details
State Hawaii
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_ind...
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Sponsors
Mike Gabbard (Sen - D) Stanley Chang (Sen - D) Dru Kanuha (Sen - D) Tim Richards (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 H The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Morikawa. 2026-04-02 H Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 04-07-26 10:10AM in conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-04-02 H The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 04-07-26. 2026-03-31 H Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 04-02-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-24 H Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Garrett, Quinlan excused (2). 2026-03-24 H Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1387-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. 2026-03-20 H The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Lowen, Perruso, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Quinlan. 2026-03-17 H Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Friday, 03-20-26 9:30AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-12 H This measure has been deleted from the meeting scheduled on Friday 03-13-26 10:00AM in conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-11 H Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Friday, 03-13-26 10:00AM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-10 H Referred to AGR, FIN, referral sheet 16 2026-03-10 H Pass First Reading 2026-03-06 H Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 47) in amended form (SD 1). 2026-03-06 S Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House. 2026-03-05 S One Day Notice 03-06-26. 2026-03-05 S Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2775) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading. 2026-03-02 S 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. 2026-02-25 S The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-02-26 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. 2026-02-23 S The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:55AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. 2026-02-13 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. 2026-02-13 S Reported from AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2235) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. 2026-02-04 S 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, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. 2026-01-30 S The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference. 2026-01-26 S Referred to AEN, WAM. 2026-01-21 S Introduced and passed First Reading. 2026-01-15 S Pending Introduction.
Votes
2026-02-04 Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 5 Nay: 0 2026-03-02 Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended Yea: 13 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-26 S Agriculture and Environment 2026-02-13 S Ways and Means 2026-03-10 H Agriculture 2026-03-24 H Finance
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-15 Introduced 2026-02-12 Amended 2026-03-23 Amended
Subjects
DAB Grant Writer Position Permanent Appropriation ($) Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
Named provisions
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