STAND. COM. REP. NO.  109-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2451

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2451 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING THAT SUPPORTS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to encourage and support agricultural production in the State by authorizing the construction of tiny homes for residential use on farms that are engaged in agricultural production, within agricultural districts.

 

     A County of Hawaii Council Member, Na Kahua Hale O Ulu Wini, Hoomanapono Political Action Committee, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and two concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Office of Planning, Department of Agriculture, and County of Hawaii Planning Department opposed this measure.  The Land Use Commission provided comments.  

 

     Your Committee finds that the construction and availability of tiny homes on farms within agricultural districts will incentivize farm workers seeking employment and positively impact the State's economy, food security, and health.


 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing the minimum hours per week requirement for farm employees to reside in the tiny home;

 

     (2)  Specifying that the owner of a farm shall be engaged in agricultural production for no less than five years rather than less than five years;

 

     (3)  Removing the occupancy limit for the tiny homes;

 

     (4)  Specifying that the number of tiny homes shall be limited to three per parcel;

 

     (5)  Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2451, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2451, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

TOM BROWER, Chair