HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1785

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Article XI, section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution establishes the State's duty to "conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands" and provides protections for lands identified as important agricultural lands.  As part of its duty, the legislature enacted Act 183, Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, which was codified in part III of chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     Act 183 directed each county to work with government and community stakeholders to identify and map potential important agricultural lands within sixty months of receipt of state funds and make recommendations to the state land use commission for the designation of these lands as important agricultural lands.  Once designated, agricultural operations on important agricultural lands are eligible for a variety of state and county assistance and incentive programs including grants and other funding assistance, tax incentives, favorable infrastructure and permit requirements, and farm and business education assistance.  The legislature finds that, to date, most counties have not received state funds to assist with their identification and mapping duties under Act 183.

     The purpose of this Act is to implement Act 183 in accordance with the State's constitutional duty to protect important agricultural lands by providing funds to the counties for the identification and mapping of important agricultural lands.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for grants-in-aid to the counties for the identification and mapping of important agricultural lands pursuant to section 205-47, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $         to the county of Hawaii;

     (2)  $         to the city and county of Honolulu;

     (3)  $         to the county of Kauai; and

     (4)  $         to the county of Maui.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2150.


 


 

Report Title:

Hawaii State Association of Counties Package; Important Agricultural Lands; Appropriation; Mapping

 

Description:

Implements Act 183, SLH 2005, in accordance with the State's constitutional duty to protect important agricultural lands by providing funds to the counties for the identification and mapping of important agricultural lands.  (HB1785 HD1)

 

 

 

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