HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2941

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

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.  The legislature finds that the State's land use law was enacted to "preserve and protect land best suited for . . . agricultural purposes and to facilitate sound and economical urban development".  Since that time, lands classified by the land study bureau as class A and class B lands, the lands most suited for intensive agricultural use, have declined from 359,690 acres (class A, 125,160 acres; class B, 234,530 acres) in 1960 to 172,094 acres (class A, 56,653 acres; class B, 115,441 acres) in 2007.  These agricultural lands are a resource that cannot be replaced once they are lost to development.

     The inventory of lands that are suitable for agriculture in the State is essentially fixed.  Agricultural lands cannot be manufactured when the demand for land increases.  The nearly three hundred sixty thousand acres of class A and B lands on the six major islands were the lands upon which the State depended for profitable and competitive agricultural production.  The loss of nearly one hundred ninety thousand acres of class A and B lands in forty-seven years highlights that it is more important than ever to conserve Hawai'i's most productive agricultural lands, especially in counties with a population of more than five hundred thousand residents.

     The purpose of this Act is to carry out the mandate of article XI, section 3, of the Hawai'i constitution to conserve and protect agricultural lands and to ensure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands in counties with a population of more than five hundred thousand residents.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§205-     Important agricultural lands; designation by legislature.  (a)  The legislature may designate lands with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall productivity rating class A or B that are irrigated or have sufficient quantities of water to produce sustained high yields of crops as important agricultural lands; provided the legislature finds that the designation is necessary to protect agricultural lands, to promote diversified agriculture, or to control future growth, development, and land use in the State.

     (b)  The designation shall be made by law and shall contain:

     (1)  The tax map key numbers of the land to be classified; and

     (2)  Demonstrable proof that the land qualifies for designation as important agricultural lands under section 205-44."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Important Agricultural Lands; Designation

 

Description:

Allows designation of important agricultural lands by the legislature by law.

 

 

 

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