Committee advances bill giving Department short-term quarantine powers, with guardrails
March 19, 2026 | House Public Hearing, House of Representatives, Legislative , Hawaii
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems moved SB2174 SD2 forward after hearing mixed testimony about the need, scope, and safeguards for a statutory, department-level emergency quarantine authority.
Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity staff stood on written testimony in support. Patrick Chi of the Department of Land and Natural Resources said acting quickly during the first hours of an invasion is critical and supported the expanded, narrowly tailored authority.
Multiple agricultural organizations said they support immediate tools for incipient pests but urged procedural safeguards. Hunter Haviland of the Hawaii Farmers Union said the bill’s exceptional powers should be paired with robust communication and a post‑action evaluation (for example a 90‑day report on effectiveness and agricultural impacts). The Farm Bureau likewise asked for compensation mechanisms to be clear and collaborative outreach to producers.
Jonathan Hoad, plant quarantine branch manager at DAB, explained how the bill differs from an existing governor‑level biosecurity emergency: the governor‑level declaration requires gubernatorial approval and allows sweeping powers (land takings, reimbursement authority), whereas the proposed department authority would be regulatory, short term (96 hours) and focused on early response to suspected infestations. "This is a department only function," Hoad said, emphasizing the narrower scope.
During decision making the committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB2174 with amendments (deleting a section, moving the effective date, and recording concerns raised by DAB). A roll-call recorded the chair and vice chair voting aye and several representatives voting aye; one member registered reservations. The committee instructed sponsors to include language to address stakeholder communication, compensation expectations, and clarity about the statute’s relationship to existing emergency rules.
The bill was advanced to House Draft 1 with the noted amendments and requests for follow‑up reporting and stakeholder outreach.
Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity staff stood on written testimony in support. Patrick Chi of the Department of Land and Natural Resources said acting quickly during the first hours of an invasion is critical and supported the expanded, narrowly tailored authority.
Multiple agricultural organizations said they support immediate tools for incipient pests but urged procedural safeguards. Hunter Haviland of the Hawaii Farmers Union said the bill’s exceptional powers should be paired with robust communication and a post‑action evaluation (for example a 90‑day report on effectiveness and agricultural impacts). The Farm Bureau likewise asked for compensation mechanisms to be clear and collaborative outreach to producers.
Jonathan Hoad, plant quarantine branch manager at DAB, explained how the bill differs from an existing governor‑level biosecurity emergency: the governor‑level declaration requires gubernatorial approval and allows sweeping powers (land takings, reimbursement authority), whereas the proposed department authority would be regulatory, short term (96 hours) and focused on early response to suspected infestations. "This is a department only function," Hoad said, emphasizing the narrower scope.
During decision making the committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB2174 with amendments (deleting a section, moving the effective date, and recording concerns raised by DAB). A roll-call recorded the chair and vice chair voting aye and several representatives voting aye; one member registered reservations. The committee instructed sponsors to include language to address stakeholder communication, compensation expectations, and clarity about the statute’s relationship to existing emergency rules.
The bill was advanced to House Draft 1 with the noted amendments and requests for follow‑up reporting and stakeholder outreach.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
