SB 762 Summary

• Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Crimes Council to develop agricultural crime prevention programs, implement reporting systems, and coordinate among state and county law enforcement agencies.

• Council composition includes the board of agriculture chair, attorney general, county prosecutors and police chiefs, and governor-appointed members representing agricultural producers, environmental organizations, and community representatives.

• Council shall appoint investigators with law enforcement powers (excluding firearms) to investigate agricultural crimes, develop uniform crime data collection procedures across counties, and maintain a central database of agricultural crime incidents.

• Expands Department of Agriculture duties to collaborate with the council by sharing information, providing technical assistance, designating a liaison, and supporting joint task forces focused on agricultural crime prevention.

• Appropriates unspecified funding for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to establish one executive director position, one staff assistant position, two deputy inspector positions, and preliminary operating budget; takes effect July 1, 2050.