STAND. COM. REP. NO.  147-14

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

 

RE:   H.B. No. 772

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 772 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAND USE,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize bona fide farming operations to engage in accessory agricultural tourism uses and activities in an agricultural district, including overnight accommodations for stays of less than thirty days, without the necessity of obtaining a special permit pursuant to section 205-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

 

     This measure also:

 

     (1)  Defines the term "bona fide farming operation"; and

 

     (2)  Authorizes each county to adopt ordinances to regulate agricultural tourism uses and activities within agricultural districts, including standards for determining what is a bona fide farming operation.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Office of Planning, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and eight individuals.

 

     Your Committees find that it is in the State's best interest to increase farm viability for legitimate farmers.  This measure would help bona fide farmers to incorporate value added revenue-generating activity within their farming operations while also ensuring that agricultural lands are used for agricultural production.

 

     Your Committees note that although this measure establishes standards and criteria to ensure the use of agricultural land for agricultural purposes, the measure does not limit the number of rooms or overnight guests that may be accommodated as part of agricultural tourism.  Your Committees respectfully request that the need for these additional protections be considered by the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 772 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Tourism,

 

 

____________________________

TOM BROWER, Chair

 

____________________________

JESSICA WOOLEY, Chair