Hawaii House Bill HR140

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Report Pass: 3/25/24
• Report Pass: 4/4/24
• Refer: 3/25/24
• Passed: 4/4/24

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Convene A Working Group To Review The Effectiveness Of The Relevant State Laws Governing Agricultural-based Commercial Operations.

Impact

The bill is particularly significant as it addresses the loopholes in current legislation stemming from Act 113, which allows agricultural districts to conduct commercial activities without necessarily tying the products sold to the agricultural land they occupy. This lack of requirement has reportedly led to abuses, where permits have been misused to facilitate operations that may not be genuinely aligned with agricultural practices. By reviewing these laws, the working group hopes to propose adjustments to better regulate activities and safeguard the agricultural sector's objectives.

Summary

House Resolution 140 (HR140) requests the Department of Agriculture of Hawaii to convene a working group to evaluate the effectiveness of state laws governing agricultural-based commercial operations. This bill arises from growing concerns about the management of agricultural activities and seeks to assess how existing regulations can be improved. HR140 aims to ensure that regulations align with the needs of agricultural producers while also maintaining the integrity and intent of Hawaii's agricultural laws.

Contention

There have been instances where conditional use permits were granted under questionable circumstances, such as allowing non-agricultural businesses on agricultural land. This raises concerns among stakeholders regarding the potential for abuse of the intent behind Act 113. The notion that agricultural lands could be used for businesses like zipline tours or restaurants—as exemplified in ongoing contested cases—has created contention and calls for the need to strengthen enforcement of agricultural regulations to prevent further misuse.

Stakeholder involvement

The resolution not only proposes a review of existing laws but also emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement. It invites contributions from relevant agencies, local agricultural bodies, and community organizations to ensure a comprehensive review. This collaborative approach aims to develop recommendations that can enhance law enforcement and overall business operations within the agricultural sector, ultimately leading to a more sustainable agricultural environment in Hawaii.