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HB 1601

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cory Chun and 1 co-sponsor

Hawaii biosecurity bill HB 1601 advances through legislature to strengthen pest prevention and agricultural protection measures for island ecosystem and food system resilience.

Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
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Bill Summary · HB 1601

Legislative bill overview

HB 1601 is a Hawaii biosecurity measure introduced by Representatives Cory Chun and Matthias Kusch. The bill has advanced through the Agriculture Committee with amendments and is currently under Water, Agriculture, and Land (WAL) committee review. The specific provisions are not detailed in the available action history, but the bill's title indicates it addresses biosecurity—likely covering pest prevention, disease control, or agricultural/environmental protection measures.

Why is this important

Hawaii's island ecosystem is particularly vulnerable to invasive species and agricultural diseases, making biosecurity legislation critical for protecting the state's food systems, native ecosystems, and economy. Such measures typically affect farmers, agricultural businesses, importers, and environmental management practices across the islands.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory burden on businesses: Enhanced biosecurity requirements may increase compliance costs for agricultural producers, importers, or food suppliers
  • Enforcement mechanisms and funding: Unclear whether adequate resources exist to implement and monitor new biosecurity protocols
  • Specificity of amendments: The bill has undergone amendments in committee, suggesting negotiation over scope—the actual restrictions or requirements remain unclear from available records

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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