HI HB498

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Crimes Council within the Department of Agriculture to develop crime prevention programs, create statewide standards for detecting and tracking agricultural crimes, and coordinate enforcement efforts across state and county agencies

Council membership includes the Board of Agriculture chairperson, attorney general, county prosecuting attorneys, county police chiefs, director of law enforcement, and governor-appointed agricultural producers, environmental organization representatives, and community members

Authorizes the council to appoint investigators with full law enforcement powers to investigate agricultural crimes, enforce agricultural laws, and issue citations, with investigators working alongside county law enforcement as partners

Creates the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund to receive grants, fees, penalties, and legislative appropriations to cover council costs including training, equipment, research, information technology, and operations

Requires the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with the council by sharing crime data, providing technical assistance, designating a departmental liaison, and supporting joint task forces on high-priority agricultural crime cases