STAND. COM. REP. NO. 219

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 832

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 832 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide funds to the counties for the identification and mapping of important agricultural lands, to fully implement the intent of Act 183, Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, and Act 233, Session Laws of Hawaii 2008.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Land Use Commission, Office of Planning, one member of the Maui County Council, Department of Planning of the County of Maui, Ulupono Initiative, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure will aid the completion of the county mapping process in preparation for the subsequent designation of important agricultural lands by the Land Use Commission, and allow the owners and farmers of these lands to have access to important agricultural land incentives in support of agricultural production.  Your Committee recognizes that significant public involvement and coordination with various stakeholders and groups are necessary to complete the process, and supports providing adequate funding for a quality end product.

 

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 832, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 832, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

 

 

 

________________________________

KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair