STAND. COM. REP. NO.  637

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to provide affordable housing for farm workers by authorizing the construction of tiny homes of less than 500 square feet in agricultural districts in a county with a population of more than 180,000 but less than 250,000, notwithstanding any county ordinance or regulation to the contrary.

 

     Onila Farms, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawaii Farmers Union United Kona Chapter, Kokolulu Farm and Cancer Retreats Inc., Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Office of Planning opposed this measure.  The Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Island School Garden Network offered comments.  

 

     Your Committee notes that discussion on this measure indicated that the proposed tiny homes could be abused as vacation rentals.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 31, 2150, to promote further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair