Requesting The Board Of Agriculture To Conduct A Study On The Percentages Of Agricultural Lands Being Leased By The State That Are Suitable For Farming And Actively Being Used For Farming Purposes And Certain Dollar Amounts Relating To Lease Transfers.
The resolution indicates that certain agricultural leases, especially in desirable areas, are potentially being transferred to the highest bidder, which could lead to a windfall profit for lessees that does not benefit the state. This situation has raised questions about whether the state's subsidies are maximizing the benefits of these lands. The study requested in HR13 aims to evaluate whether the current management and transfer practices of agricultural leases align with the state's goals on agriculture and economic benefits.
House Resolution 13 (HR13) requests the Board of Agriculture in Hawaii to conduct a comprehensive study on the agricultural lands leased by the state. The aim is to ascertain the percentage of these lands that are suitable for farming and currently utilized for agricultural purposes. This follows concerns regarding state-subsidized leases that may not be effectively supporting the state's economic diversification and food self-sufficiency objectives. Some state leased lands have been criticized for being used predominantly for non-agricultural purposes or remaining unused, despite subsidies provided to lessees at below-market rates.
If enacted, HR13 could lead to recommendations for potential legislative changes based on the study's findings. The Board of Agriculture is expected to report its findings, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of agricultural land management and ensure that the state's agricultural policy effectively supports active farming and its related economic objectives. This study could be a pivotal step towards reforming how agricultural leases are administered in Hawaii for the benefit of both the state and its farming community.
One notable point of contention surrounding HR13 is how the financial aspects of lease transfers affect the state's agriculture strategy. There are concerns that the ease of transferring leases to the highest bidder may not prioritize the best farmers for agricultural production. Additionally, the resolution calls for transparency in the financial transactions regarding lease transfers—specifically looking into rent amounts, costs of infrastructure improvements, and how much of the total transfers pertain to state benefits versus private gain.