SB2800 passes committee, funds Hawaii irrigation systems
Summary
Hawaii Senate Bill SB2800 passed through legislative committees including AGR, WAL, and FIN during the 2026 Regular Session. The bill appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire, repair, and maintain irrigation systems statewide. Six Senate sponsors including Donovan Cruz and Brandon Elefante advanced the measure through both chambers with strong committee support.
What changed
SB2800 cleared both chambers and multiple House committees (AGR, WAL, FIN) during the 2026 legislative session. The bill allocates state funds to three agencies for irrigation system acquisition, repair, and maintenance across Hawaii. Key provisions include amended HD 1 and SD 1 versions that passed with overwhelming committee support (15-0 in FIN, 8-0 in WAL, 7-0 in AGR).
Agricultural producers, farming operations, and related agribusinesses in Hawaii are the primary beneficiaries of this irrigation infrastructure funding. State agencies administering the programs will need to develop implementation procedures and budget allocations upon enactment. Farmers and crop producers relying on irrigation systems should monitor agency guidance for potential grant or maintenance service opportunities.
What to do next
- Monitor SB2800 for final passage and enactment
- Track House committee assignments and voting schedules
- Review implementing agency guidelines once enacted
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Hawaii / SB2800 Passed SB2800 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-06
Relating To Irrigation Systems.
Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire, repair, and maintain irrigation systems in the State. 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
Donovan Cruz (Sen - D) Stanley Chang (Sen - D) Brandon Elefante (Sen - D) Troy Hashimoto (Sen - D) Michelle Kidani (Sen - D) Glenn Wakai (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, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos; 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. 2026-03-30 H Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Shimizu voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan excused (4). 2026-03-30 H Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1523-26), recommending referral to FIN. 2026-03-24 H The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Woodson, Souza; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti. 2026-03-20 H Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Tuesday, 03-24-26 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-20 H Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on WAL with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). 2026-03-20 H Reported from AGR (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1249-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to WAL. 2026-03-18 H The committee on AGR recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Chun, Kusch, Kahaloa, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none. 2026-03-12 H Bill scheduled to be heard by AGR on Wednesday, 03-18-26 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, WAL, FIN, referral sheet 16 2026-03-10 H Pass First Reading 2026-03-06 H Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 80) 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. 2776) 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. 2026-02-20 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. 2026-02-20 S Reported from AEN/WLA/EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2681) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. 2026-02-18 S 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, DeCoite, Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa. 2026-02-18 S The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDT were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Kim. 2026-02-18 S The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. 2026-02-12 S The committee(s) on AEN/WLA/EDT has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 3:01PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference. 2026-01-30 S Referred to AEN/WLA/EDT, WAM. 2026-01-26 S Passed First Reading. 2026-01-23 S Introduced.
Votes
2026-02-18 Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 4 Nay: 0 2026-02-18 Senate Economic Development and Technology: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 3 Nay: 0 2026-02-18 Senate Water, Land, and Agriculture: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 5 Nay: 0 2026-03-02 Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended Yea: 13 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-30 S Agriculture and Environment 2026-02-20 S Ways and Means 2026-03-10 H Agriculture 2026-03-20 H Water & Land 2026-03-30 H Finance
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-23 Introduced 2026-02-20 Amended 2026-03-19 Amended
Subjects
DAB DLNR ADC Irrigation Systems Appropriation ($) Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
Named provisions
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