SB 1249 Summary

• Establishes agricultural enforcement pilot program within Department of Law Enforcement on Oahu and Hawaii islands with one assistant chief, two investigators, and six uniformed officers; appropriates $949,856 annually for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

• Creates new agricultural crimes framework including habitual agricultural crime (class C felony with 1-5 year sentence) and criminal trespass on agricultural land (misdemeanor with mandatory minimum 3-90 days imprisonment depending on offense number).

• Establishes administrative penalties for agricultural violations: first offense up to $200, second offense within 5 years up to $500, third+ offense within 5 years up to $1,000.

• Strengthens livestock protection by requiring brand inspection at slaughter facilities, livestock ownership certificates for transport/sale, and enhanced penalties for altering/obliterating brands ($500 fine) and prohibited branding (class C felony with $1,000+ fine).

• Increases penalties for hunting violations on private agricultural land at night to class C felony with 1-5 year sentence; establishes criminal trespass as qualifying offense for asset forfeiture; expands property damage penalties for agricultural property crimes.