Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB2811 Compare Versions

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11 THE SENATE S.B. NO. 2811 THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to agricultural tourism. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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4343 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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4747 SECTION 1. Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§205- Agricultural tourism. (a) Agricultural tourism may be conducted on a farming operation, as defined in section 165-2, for the enjoyment, education, or involvement of visitors. (b) Agricultural tourism activities: (1) Shall be accessory and secondary to the principal agricultural use; (2) Shall coexist with a bona fide agricultural activity; and (3) Shall not interfere with surrounding farm operations. (c) Revenue from all agricultural tourism activities on a farming operation shall not exceed revenue from the bona fide agricultural activity on the farming operation. (d) Agricultural tourism activities may include overnight accommodations of twenty-one days or less; provided that no person shall stay in overnight accommodations included with agricultural tourism activities for longer than twenty-one days in total within one county during any one-year period. (e) The commission shall adopt rules under chapter 91 governing agricultural tourism and agricultural tourism activities. The purpose of the rules shall be to establish uniform requirements for agricultural tourism and agricultural tourism activities throughout the State, promote agriculture, and address community concerns. At a minimum, the rules shall establish: (1) Requirements for access to a farm, including road width, road surface, and parking; (2) Requirements and restrictions for accessory facilities connected with the farming operation, such as gift shops and restaurants; (3) Activities for visitors that may be offered by the farming operation; (4) Days and hours of operation; and (5) Automatic termination of authorization for agricultural tourism activities at a farming operation upon the cessation of the bona fide agricultural activity there. (f) Each county may require completion of an environmental assessment under chapter 343 before authorizing any agricultural tourism activity at a farming operation. (g) For the purposes of this section, "bona fide agricultural activity" means a farming operation as defined in section 165-2." SECTION 2. Section 205-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows: "(d) Agricultural districts shall include: (1) Activities or uses as characterized by the cultivation of crops, crops for bioenergy, orchards, forage, and forestry; (2) Farming activities or uses related to animal husbandry and game and fish propagation; (3) Aquaculture, which means the production of aquatic plant and animal life within ponds and other bodies of water; (4) Wind-generated energy production for public, private, and commercial use; (5) Biofuel production, as described in section 205‑4.5(a)(16), for public, private, and commercial use; (6) Solar energy facilities; provided that: (A) This paragraph shall apply only to land with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating class B, C, D, or E; and (B) Solar energy facilities placed within land with soil classified as overall productivity rating class B or C shall not occupy more than ten per cent of the acreage of the parcel, or twenty acres of land, whichever is lesser, unless a special use permit is granted pursuant to section 205-6; (7) Bona fide agricultural services and uses that support the agricultural activities of the fee or leasehold owner of the property and accessory to any of the above activities, regardless of whether conducted on the same premises as the agricultural activities to which they are accessory, including farm dwellings as defined in section 205-4.5(a)(4), employee housing, farm buildings, mills, storage facilities, processing facilities, photovoltaic, biogas, and other small‑scale renewable energy systems producing energy solely for use in the agricultural activities of the fee or leasehold owner of the property, agricultural‑energy facilities as defined in section 205‑4.5(a)(17), vehicle and equipment storage areas, and plantation community subdivisions as defined in section 205-4.5(a)(12); (8) Wind machines and wind farms; (9) Small-scale meteorological, air quality, noise, and other scientific and environmental data collection and monitoring facilities occupying less than one-half acre of land; provided that these facilities shall not be used as or equipped for use as living quarters or dwellings; (10) Agricultural parks; (11) Agricultural tourism [conducted on a working farm, or a farming operation as defined in section 165-2, for the enjoyment, education, or involvement of visitors; provided that the agricultural tourism activity is accessory and secondary to the principal agricultural use and does not interfere with surrounding farm operations; and provided further that this paragraph shall apply only to a county that has adopted ordinances regulating agricultural tourism under section 205-5;] pursuant to section 205- ; (12) Agricultural tourism activities[, including overnight accommodations of twenty-one days or less, for any one stay within a county; provided that this paragraph shall apply only to a county that includes at least three islands and has adopted ordinances regulating agricultural tourism activities pursuant to section 205-5; provided further that the agricultural tourism activities coexist with a bona fide agricultural activity. For the purposes of this paragraph, "bona fide agricultural activity" means a farming operation as defined in section 165-2;] pursuant to section 205- ; (13) Open area recreational facilities; (14) Geothermal resources exploration and geothermal resources development, as defined under section 182-1; (15) Agricultural-based commercial operations registered in Hawaii, including: (A) A roadside stand that is not an enclosed structure, owned and operated by a producer for the display and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii; (B) Retail activities in an enclosed structure owned and operated by a producer for the display and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii, value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii, logo items related to the producer's agricultural operations, and other food items; (C) A retail food establishment owned and operated by a producer and permitted under chapter 11-50, Hawaii administrative rules, that prepares and serves food at retail using products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii; (D) A farmers' market, which is an outdoor market limited to producers selling agricultural products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii; and (E) A food hub, which is a facility that may contain a commercial kitchen and provides for the storage, processing, distribution, and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii and value‑added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii. The owner of an agricultural-based commercial operation shall certify, upon request of an officer or agent charged with enforcement of this chapter under section 205-12, that the agricultural products displayed or sold by the operation meet the requirements of this paragraph; (16) Hydroelectric facilities as described in section 205‑4.5(a)(23); and (17) Composting and co-composting operations; provided that operations that process their own green waste and do not require permits from the department of health shall use the finished composting product only on the operation's own premises to minimize the potential spread of invasive species. Agricultural districts shall not include golf courses and golf driving ranges, except as provided in section 205-4.5(d). Agricultural districts include areas that are not used for, or that are not suited to, agricultural and ancillary activities by reason of topography, soils, and other related characteristics." SECTION 3. Section 205-4.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: "(a) Within the agricultural district, all lands with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating class A or B and for solar energy facilities, class B or C, shall be restricted to the following permitted uses: (1) Cultivation of crops, including crops for bioenergy, flowers, vegetables, foliage, fruits, forage, and timber; (2) Game and fish propagation; (3) Raising of livestock, including poultry, bees, fish, or other animal or aquatic life that are propagated for economic or personal use; (4) Farm dwellings, employee housing, farm buildings, or activities or uses related to farming and animal husbandry. "Farm dwelling", as used in this paragraph, means a single-family dwelling located on and accessory to a farm, including clusters of single‑family farm dwellings permitted within agricultural parks developed by the State, or where agricultural activity provides income to the family occupying the dwelling; (5) Public institutions and buildings that are necessary for agricultural practices; (6) Public and private open area types of recreational uses, including day camps, picnic grounds, parks, and riding stables, but not including dragstrips, airports, drive-in theaters, golf courses, golf driving ranges, country clubs, and overnight camps; (7) Public, private, and quasi-public utility lines and roadways, transformer stations, communications equipment buildings, solid waste transfer stations, major water storage tanks, and appurtenant small buildings such as booster pumping stations, but not including offices or yards for equipment, material, vehicle storage, repair or maintenance, treatment plants, corporation yards, or other similar structures; (8) Retention, restoration, rehabilitation, or improvement of buildings or sites of historic or scenic interest; (9) Agricultural-based commercial operations as described in section 205-2(d)(15); (10) Buildings and uses, including mills, storage, and processing facilities, maintenance facilities, photovoltaic, biogas, and other small-scale renewable energy systems producing energy solely for use in the agricultural activities of the fee or leasehold owner of the property, and vehicle and equipment storage areas that are normally considered directly accessory to the above-mentioned uses and are permitted under section 205-2(d); (11) Agricultural parks; (12) Plantation community subdivisions, which as used in this chapter means an established subdivision or cluster of employee housing, community buildings, and agricultural support buildings on land currently or formerly owned, leased, or operated by a sugar or pineapple plantation; provided that the existing structures may be used or rehabilitated for use, and new employee housing and agricultural support buildings may be allowed on land within the subdivision as follows: (A) The employee housing is occupied by employees or former employees of the plantation who have a property interest in the land; (B) The employee housing units not owned by their occupants shall be rented or leased at affordable rates for agricultural workers; or (C) The agricultural support buildings shall be rented or leased to agricultural business operators or agricultural support services; (13) Agricultural tourism [conducted on a working farm, or a farming operation as defined in section 165-2, for the enjoyment, education, or involvement of visitors; provided that the agricultural tourism activity is accessory and secondary to the principal agricultural use and does not interfere with surrounding farm operations; and provided further that this paragraph shall apply only to a county that has adopted ordinances regulating agricultural tourism under section 205-5;] pursuant to section 205- ; (14) Agricultural tourism activities[, including overnight accommodations of twenty-one days or less, for any one stay within a county; provided that this paragraph shall apply only to a county that includes at least three islands and has adopted ordinances regulating agricultural tourism activities pursuant to section 205-5; provided further that the agricultural tourism activities coexist with a bona fide agricultural activity. For the purposes of this paragraph, "bona fide agricultural activity" means a farming operation as defined in section 165-2;] pursuant to section 205- ; (15) Wind energy facilities, including the appurtenances associated with the production and transmission of wind generated energy; provided that the wind energy facilities and appurtenances are compatible with agriculture uses and cause minimal adverse impact on agricultural land; (16) Biofuel processing facilities, including the appurtenances associated with the production and refining of biofuels that is normally considered directly accessory and secondary to the growing of the energy feedstock; provided that biofuel processing facilities and appurtenances do not adversely impact agricultural land and other agricultural uses in the vicinity. For the purposes of this paragraph: "Appurtenances" means operational infrastructure of the appropriate type and scale for economic commercial storage and distribution, and other similar handling of feedstock, fuels, and other products of biofuel processing facilities. "Biofuel processing facility" means a facility that produces liquid or gaseous fuels from organic sources such as biomass crops, agricultural residues, and oil crops, including palm, canola, soybean, and waste cooking oils; grease; food wastes; and animal residues and wastes that can be used to generate energy; (17) Agricultural-energy facilities, including appurtenances necessary for an agricultural-energy enterprise; provided that the primary activity of the agricultural-energy enterprise is agricultural activity. To be considered the primary activity of an agricultural-energy enterprise, the total acreage devoted to agricultural activity shall be not less than ninety per cent of the total acreage of the agricultural-energy enterprise. The agricultural‑energy facility shall be limited to lands owned, leased, licensed, or operated by the entity conducting the agricultural activity. As used in this paragraph: "Agricultural activity" means any activity described in paragraphs (1) to (3) of this subsection. "Agricultural-energy enterprise" means an enterprise that integrally incorporates an agricultural activity with an agricultural-energy facility. "Agricultural-energy facility" means a facility that generates, stores, or distributes renewable energy as defined in section 269-91 or renewable fuel including electrical or thermal energy or liquid or gaseous fuels from products of agricultural activities from agricultural lands located in the State. "Appurtenances" means operational infrastructure of the appropriate type and scale for the economic commercial generation, storage, distribution, and other similar handling of energy, including equipment, feedstock, fuels, and other products of agricultural‑energy facilities; (18) Construction and operation of wireless communication antennas, including small wireless facilities; provided that, for the purposes of this paragraph, "wireless communication antenna" means communications equipment that is either freestanding or placed upon or attached to an already existing structure and that transmits and receives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of all types of wireless communications services; provided further that "small wireless facilities" shall have the same meaning as in section 206N-2; provided further that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to permit the construction of any new structure that is not deemed a permitted use under this subsection; (19) Agricultural education programs conducted on a farming operation as defined in section 165-2, for the education and participation of the general public; provided that the agricultural education programs are accessory and secondary to the principal agricultural use of the parcels or lots on which the agricultural education programs are to occur and do not interfere with surrounding farm operations. For the purposes of this paragraph, "agricultural education programs" means activities or events designed to promote knowledge and understanding of agricultural activities and practices conducted on a farming operation as defined in section 165-2; (20) Solar energy facilities that do not occupy more than ten per cent of the acreage of the parcel, or twenty acres of land, whichever is lesser or for which a special use permit is granted pursuant to section 205‑6; provided that this use shall not be permitted on lands with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating class A; (21) Solar energy facilities on lands with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating B or C for which a special use permit is granted pursuant to section 205-6; provided that: (A) The area occupied by the solar energy facilities is also made available for compatible agricultural activities at a lease rate that is at least fifty per cent below the fair market rent for comparable properties; (B) Proof of financial security to decommission the facility is provided to the satisfaction of the appropriate county planning commission prior to date of commencement of commercial generation; and (C) Solar energy facilities shall be decommissioned at the owner's expense according to the following requirements: (i) Removal of all equipment related to the solar energy facility within twelve months of the conclusion of operation or useful life; and (ii) Restoration of the disturbed earth to substantially the same physical condition as existed prior to the development of the solar energy facility. For the purposes of this paragraph, "agricultural activities" means the activities described in paragraphs (1) to (3); (22) Geothermal resources exploration and geothermal resources development, as defined under section 182-1; (23) Hydroelectric facilities, including the appurtenances associated with the production and transmission of hydroelectric energy, subject to section 205-2; provided that the hydroelectric facilities and their appurtenances: (A) Shall consist of a small hydropower facility as defined by the United States Department of Energy, including: (i) Impoundment facilities using a dam to store water in a reservoir; (ii) A diversion or run-of-river facility that channels a portion of a river through a canal or channel; and (iii) Pumped storage facilities that store energy by pumping water uphill to a reservoir at higher elevation from a reservoir at a lower elevation to be released to turn a turbine to generate electricity; (B) Comply with the state water code, chapter 174C; (C) Shall, if over five hundred kilowatts in hydroelectric generating capacity, have the approval of the commission on water resource management, including a new instream flow standard established for any new hydroelectric facility; and (D) Do not impact or impede the use of agricultural land or the availability of surface or ground water for all uses on all parcels that are served by the ground water sources or streams for which hydroelectric facilities are considered; or (24) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, composting and co-composting operations; provided that operations that process their own green waste and do not require permits from the department of health shall use the finished composting product only on the operation's own premises to minimize the potential spread of invasive species." SECTION 4. Section 205-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: "(b) Within agricultural districts, uses compatible to the activities described in section 205‑2 as determined by the commission shall be permitted; provided that accessory agricultural uses and services described in sections 205‑2 and 205‑4.5 may be further defined by each county by zoning ordinance. [Each county shall adopt ordinances setting forth procedures and requirements, including provisions for enforcement, penalties, and administrative oversight, for the review and permitting of agricultural tourism uses and activities as an accessory use on a working farm, or farming operation as defined in section 165‑2. Ordinances shall include but not be limited to: (1) Requirements for access to a farm, including road width, road surface, and parking; (2) Requirements and restrictions for accessory facilities connected with the farming operation, including gift shops and restaurants; (3) Activities that may be offered by the farming operation for visitors; (4) Days and hours of operation; and (5) Automatic termination of the accessory use upon the cessation of the farming operation. Each county may require an environmental assessment under chapter 343 as a condition to any agricultural tourism use and activity.] Other uses may be allowed by special permits issued pursuant to this chapter. The minimum lot size in agricultural districts shall be determined by each county by zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, or other lawful means; provided that the minimum lot size for any agricultural use shall not be less than one acre, except as provided herein. If the county finds that unreasonable economic hardship to the owner or lessee of land cannot otherwise be prevented or where land utilization is improved, the county may allow lot sizes of less than the minimum lot size as specified by law for lots created by a consolidation of existing lots within an agricultural district and the resubdivision thereof; provided that the consolidation and resubdivision do not result in an increase in the number of lots over the number existing prior to consolidation; and provided further that in no event shall a lot which is equal to or exceeds the minimum lot size of one acre be less than that minimum after the consolidation and resubdivision action. The county may also allow lot sizes of less than the minimum lot size as specified by law for lots created or used for plantation community subdivisions as defined in section 205‑4.5(a)(12), for public, private, and quasi-public utility purposes, and for lots resulting from the subdivision of abandoned roadways and railroad easements." SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
4848
4949 SECTION 1. Chapter 205, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
5050
5151 "§205- Agricultural tourism. (a) Agricultural tourism may be conducted on a farming operation, as defined in section 165-2, for the enjoyment, education, or involvement of visitors.
5252
5353 (b) Agricultural tourism activities:
5454
5555 (1) Shall be accessory and secondary to the principal agricultural use;
5656
5757 (2) Shall coexist with a bona fide agricultural activity; and
5858
5959 (3) Shall not interfere with surrounding farm operations.
6060
6161 (c) Revenue from all agricultural tourism activities on a farming operation shall not exceed revenue from the bona fide agricultural activity on the farming operation.
6262
6363 (d) Agricultural tourism activities may include overnight accommodations of twenty-one days or less; provided that no person shall stay in overnight accommodations included with agricultural tourism activities for longer than twenty-one days in total within one county during any one-year period.
6464
6565 (e) The commission shall adopt rules under chapter 91 governing agricultural tourism and agricultural tourism activities. The purpose of the rules shall be to establish uniform requirements for agricultural tourism and agricultural tourism activities throughout the State, promote agriculture, and address community concerns. At a minimum, the rules shall establish:
6666
6767 (1) Requirements for access to a farm, including road width, road surface, and parking;
6868
6969 (2) Requirements and restrictions for accessory facilities connected with the farming operation, such as gift shops and restaurants;
7070
7171 (3) Activities for visitors that may be offered by the farming operation;
7272
7373 (4) Days and hours of operation; and
7474
7575 (5) Automatic termination of authorization for agricultural tourism activities at a farming operation upon the cessation of the bona fide agricultural activity there.
7676
7777 (f) Each county may require completion of an environmental assessment under chapter 343 before authorizing any agricultural tourism activity at a farming operation.
7878
7979 (g) For the purposes of this section, "bona fide agricultural activity" means a farming operation as defined in section 165-2."
8080
8181 SECTION 2. Section 205-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
8282
8383 "(d) Agricultural districts shall include:
8484
8585 (1) Activities or uses as characterized by the cultivation of crops, crops for bioenergy, orchards, forage, and forestry;
8686
8787 (2) Farming activities or uses related to animal husbandry and game and fish propagation;
8888
8989 (3) Aquaculture, which means the production of aquatic plant and animal life within ponds and other bodies of water;
9090
9191 (4) Wind-generated energy production for public, private, and commercial use;
9292
9393 (5) Biofuel production, as described in section 205‑4.5(a)(16), for public, private, and commercial use;
9494
9595 (6) Solar energy facilities; provided that:
9696
9797 (A) This paragraph shall apply only to land with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating class B, C, D, or E; and
9898
9999 (B) Solar energy facilities placed within land with soil classified as overall productivity rating class B or C shall not occupy more than ten per cent of the acreage of the parcel, or twenty acres of land, whichever is lesser, unless a special use permit is granted pursuant to section 205-6;
100100
101101 (7) Bona fide agricultural services and uses that support the agricultural activities of the fee or leasehold owner of the property and accessory to any of the above activities, regardless of whether conducted on the same premises as the agricultural activities to which they are accessory, including farm dwellings as defined in section 205-4.5(a)(4), employee housing, farm buildings, mills, storage facilities, processing facilities, photovoltaic, biogas, and other small‑scale renewable energy systems producing energy solely for use in the agricultural activities of the fee or leasehold owner of the property, agricultural‑energy facilities as defined in section 205‑4.5(a)(17), vehicle and equipment storage areas, and plantation community subdivisions as defined in section 205-4.5(a)(12);
102102
103103 (8) Wind machines and wind farms;
104104
105105 (9) Small-scale meteorological, air quality, noise, and other scientific and environmental data collection and monitoring facilities occupying less than one-half acre of land; provided that these facilities shall not be used as or equipped for use as living quarters or dwellings;
106106
107107 (10) Agricultural parks;
108108
109109 (11) Agricultural tourism [conducted on a working farm, or a farming operation as defined in section 165-2, for the enjoyment, education, or involvement of visitors; provided that the agricultural tourism activity is accessory and secondary to the principal agricultural use and does not interfere with surrounding farm operations; and provided further that this paragraph shall apply only to a county that has adopted ordinances regulating agricultural tourism under section 205-5;] pursuant to section 205- ;
110110
111111 (12) Agricultural tourism activities[, including overnight accommodations of twenty-one days or less, for any one stay within a county; provided that this paragraph shall apply only to a county that includes at least three islands and has adopted ordinances regulating agricultural tourism activities pursuant to section 205-5; provided further that the agricultural tourism activities coexist with a bona fide agricultural activity. For the purposes of this paragraph, "bona fide agricultural activity" means a farming operation as defined in section 165-2;] pursuant to section 205- ;
112112
113113 (13) Open area recreational facilities;
114114
115115 (14) Geothermal resources exploration and geothermal resources development, as defined under section 182-1;
116116
117117 (15) Agricultural-based commercial operations registered in Hawaii, including:
118118
119119 (A) A roadside stand that is not an enclosed structure, owned and operated by a producer for the display and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii;
120120
121121 (B) Retail activities in an enclosed structure owned and operated by a producer for the display and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii, value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii, logo items related to the producer's agricultural operations, and other food items;
122122
123123 (C) A retail food establishment owned and operated by a producer and permitted under chapter 11-50, Hawaii administrative rules, that prepares and serves food at retail using products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii;
124124
125125 (D) A farmers' market, which is an outdoor market limited to producers selling agricultural products grown in Hawaii and value-added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii; and
126126
127127 (E) A food hub, which is a facility that may contain a commercial kitchen and provides for the storage, processing, distribution, and sale of agricultural products grown in Hawaii and value‑added products that were produced using agricultural products grown in Hawaii.
128128
129129 The owner of an agricultural-based commercial operation shall certify, upon request of an officer or agent charged with enforcement of this chapter under section 205-12, that the agricultural products displayed or sold by the operation meet the requirements of this paragraph;
130130
131131 (16) Hydroelectric facilities as described in section 205‑4.5(a)(23); and
132132
133133 (17) Composting and co-composting operations; provided that operations that process their own green waste and do not require permits from the department of health shall use the finished composting product only on the operation's own premises to minimize the potential spread of invasive species.
134134
135135 Agricultural districts shall not include golf courses and golf driving ranges, except as provided in section 205-4.5(d). Agricultural districts include areas that are not used for, or that are not suited to, agricultural and ancillary activities by reason of topography, soils, and other related characteristics."
136136
137137 SECTION 3. Section 205-4.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
138138
139139 "(a) Within the agricultural district, all lands with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating class A or B and for solar energy facilities, class B or C, shall be restricted to the following permitted uses:
140140
141141 (1) Cultivation of crops, including crops for bioenergy, flowers, vegetables, foliage, fruits, forage, and timber;
142142
143143 (2) Game and fish propagation;
144144
145145 (3) Raising of livestock, including poultry, bees, fish, or other animal or aquatic life that are propagated for economic or personal use;
146146
147147 (4) Farm dwellings, employee housing, farm buildings, or activities or uses related to farming and animal husbandry. "Farm dwelling", as used in this paragraph, means a single-family dwelling located on and accessory to a farm, including clusters of single‑family farm dwellings permitted within agricultural parks developed by the State, or where agricultural activity provides income to the family occupying the dwelling;
148148
149149 (5) Public institutions and buildings that are necessary for agricultural practices;
150150
151151 (6) Public and private open area types of recreational uses, including day camps, picnic grounds, parks, and riding stables, but not including dragstrips, airports, drive-in theaters, golf courses, golf driving ranges, country clubs, and overnight camps;
152152
153153 (7) Public, private, and quasi-public utility lines and roadways, transformer stations, communications equipment buildings, solid waste transfer stations, major water storage tanks, and appurtenant small buildings such as booster pumping stations, but not including offices or yards for equipment, material, vehicle storage, repair or maintenance, treatment plants, corporation yards, or other similar structures;
154154
155155 (8) Retention, restoration, rehabilitation, or improvement of buildings or sites of historic or scenic interest;
156156
157157 (9) Agricultural-based commercial operations as described in section 205-2(d)(15);
158158
159159 (10) Buildings and uses, including mills, storage, and processing facilities, maintenance facilities, photovoltaic, biogas, and other small-scale renewable energy systems producing energy solely for use in the agricultural activities of the fee or leasehold owner of the property, and vehicle and equipment storage areas that are normally considered directly accessory to the above-mentioned uses and are permitted under section 205-2(d);
160160
161161 (11) Agricultural parks;
162162
163163 (12) Plantation community subdivisions, which as used in this chapter means an established subdivision or cluster of employee housing, community buildings, and agricultural support buildings on land currently or formerly owned, leased, or operated by a sugar or pineapple plantation; provided that the existing structures may be used or rehabilitated for use, and new employee housing and agricultural support buildings may be allowed on land within the subdivision as follows:
164164
165165 (A) The employee housing is occupied by employees or former employees of the plantation who have a property interest in the land;
166166
167167 (B) The employee housing units not owned by their occupants shall be rented or leased at affordable rates for agricultural workers; or
168168
169169 (C) The agricultural support buildings shall be rented or leased to agricultural business operators or agricultural support services;
170170
171171 (13) Agricultural tourism [conducted on a working farm, or a farming operation as defined in section 165-2, for the enjoyment, education, or involvement of visitors; provided that the agricultural tourism activity is accessory and secondary to the principal agricultural use and does not interfere with surrounding farm operations; and provided further that this paragraph shall apply only to a county that has adopted ordinances regulating agricultural tourism under section 205-5;] pursuant to section 205- ;
172172
173173 (14) Agricultural tourism activities[, including overnight accommodations of twenty-one days or less, for any one stay within a county; provided that this paragraph shall apply only to a county that includes at least three islands and has adopted ordinances regulating agricultural tourism activities pursuant to section 205-5; provided further that the agricultural tourism activities coexist with a bona fide agricultural activity. For the purposes of this paragraph, "bona fide agricultural activity" means a farming operation as defined in section 165-2;] pursuant to section 205- ;
174174
175175 (15) Wind energy facilities, including the appurtenances associated with the production and transmission of wind generated energy; provided that the wind energy facilities and appurtenances are compatible with agriculture uses and cause minimal adverse impact on agricultural land;
176176
177177 (16) Biofuel processing facilities, including the appurtenances associated with the production and refining of biofuels that is normally considered directly accessory and secondary to the growing of the energy feedstock; provided that biofuel processing facilities and appurtenances do not adversely impact agricultural land and other agricultural uses in the vicinity.
178178
179179 For the purposes of this paragraph:
180180
181181 "Appurtenances" means operational infrastructure of the appropriate type and scale for economic commercial storage and distribution, and other similar handling of feedstock, fuels, and other products of biofuel processing facilities.
182182
183183 "Biofuel processing facility" means a facility that produces liquid or gaseous fuels from organic sources such as biomass crops, agricultural residues, and oil crops, including palm, canola, soybean, and waste cooking oils; grease; food wastes; and animal residues and wastes that can be used to generate energy;
184184
185185 (17) Agricultural-energy facilities, including appurtenances necessary for an agricultural-energy enterprise; provided that the primary activity of the agricultural-energy enterprise is agricultural activity. To be considered the primary activity of an agricultural-energy enterprise, the total acreage devoted to agricultural activity shall be not less than ninety per cent of the total acreage of the agricultural-energy enterprise. The agricultural‑energy facility shall be limited to lands owned, leased, licensed, or operated by the entity conducting the agricultural activity.
186186
187187 As used in this paragraph:
188188
189189 "Agricultural activity" means any activity described in paragraphs (1) to (3) of this subsection.
190190
191191 "Agricultural-energy enterprise" means an enterprise that integrally incorporates an agricultural activity with an agricultural-energy facility.
192192
193193 "Agricultural-energy facility" means a facility that generates, stores, or distributes renewable energy as defined in section 269-91 or renewable fuel including electrical or thermal energy or liquid or gaseous fuels from products of agricultural activities from agricultural lands located in the State.
194194
195195 "Appurtenances" means operational infrastructure of the appropriate type and scale for the economic commercial generation, storage, distribution, and other similar handling of energy, including equipment, feedstock, fuels, and other products of agricultural‑energy facilities;
196196
197197 (18) Construction and operation of wireless communication antennas, including small wireless facilities; provided that, for the purposes of this paragraph, "wireless communication antenna" means communications equipment that is either freestanding or placed upon or attached to an already existing structure and that transmits and receives electromagnetic radio signals used in the provision of all types of wireless communications services; provided further that "small wireless facilities" shall have the same meaning as in section 206N-2; provided further that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to permit the construction of any new structure that is not deemed a permitted use under this subsection;
198198
199199 (19) Agricultural education programs conducted on a farming operation as defined in section 165-2, for the education and participation of the general public; provided that the agricultural education programs are accessory and secondary to the principal agricultural use of the parcels or lots on which the agricultural education programs are to occur and do not interfere with surrounding farm operations. For the purposes of this paragraph, "agricultural education programs" means activities or events designed to promote knowledge and understanding of agricultural activities and practices conducted on a farming operation as defined in section 165-2;
200200
201201 (20) Solar energy facilities that do not occupy more than ten per cent of the acreage of the parcel, or twenty acres of land, whichever is lesser or for which a special use permit is granted pursuant to section 205‑6; provided that this use shall not be permitted on lands with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating class A;
202202
203203 (21) Solar energy facilities on lands with soil classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating B or C for which a special use permit is granted pursuant to section 205-6; provided that:
204204
205205 (A) The area occupied by the solar energy facilities is also made available for compatible agricultural activities at a lease rate that is at least fifty per cent below the fair market rent for comparable properties;
206206
207207 (B) Proof of financial security to decommission the facility is provided to the satisfaction of the appropriate county planning commission prior to date of commencement of commercial generation; and
208208
209209 (C) Solar energy facilities shall be decommissioned at the owner's expense according to the following requirements:
210210
211211 (i) Removal of all equipment related to the solar energy facility within twelve months of the conclusion of operation or useful life; and
212212
213213 (ii) Restoration of the disturbed earth to substantially the same physical condition as existed prior to the development of the solar energy facility.
214214
215215 For the purposes of this paragraph, "agricultural activities" means the activities described in paragraphs (1) to (3);
216216
217217 (22) Geothermal resources exploration and geothermal resources development, as defined under section 182-1;
218218
219219 (23) Hydroelectric facilities, including the appurtenances associated with the production and transmission of hydroelectric energy, subject to section 205-2; provided that the hydroelectric facilities and their appurtenances:
220220
221221 (A) Shall consist of a small hydropower facility as defined by the United States Department of Energy, including:
222222
223223 (i) Impoundment facilities using a dam to store water in a reservoir;
224224
225225 (ii) A diversion or run-of-river facility that channels a portion of a river through a canal or channel; and
226226
227227 (iii) Pumped storage facilities that store energy by pumping water uphill to a reservoir at higher elevation from a reservoir at a lower elevation to be released to turn a turbine to generate electricity;
228228
229229 (B) Comply with the state water code, chapter 174C;
230230
231231 (C) Shall, if over five hundred kilowatts in hydroelectric generating capacity, have the approval of the commission on water resource management, including a new instream flow standard established for any new hydroelectric facility; and
232232
233233 (D) Do not impact or impede the use of agricultural land or the availability of surface or ground water for all uses on all parcels that are served by the ground water sources or streams for which hydroelectric facilities are considered; or
234234
235235 (24) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, composting and co-composting operations; provided that operations that process their own green waste and do not require permits from the department of health shall use the finished composting product only on the operation's own premises to minimize the potential spread of invasive species."
236236
237237 SECTION 4. Section 205-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
238238
239239 "(b) Within agricultural districts, uses compatible to the activities described in section 205‑2 as determined by the commission shall be permitted; provided that accessory agricultural uses and services described in sections 205‑2 and 205‑4.5 may be further defined by each county by zoning ordinance. [Each county shall adopt ordinances setting forth procedures and requirements, including provisions for enforcement, penalties, and administrative oversight, for the review and permitting of agricultural tourism uses and activities as an accessory use on a working farm, or farming operation as defined in section 165‑2. Ordinances shall include but not be limited to:
240240
241241 (1) Requirements for access to a farm, including road width, road surface, and parking;
242242
243243 (2) Requirements and restrictions for accessory facilities connected with the farming operation, including gift shops and restaurants;
244244
245245 (3) Activities that may be offered by the farming operation for visitors;
246246
247247 (4) Days and hours of operation; and
248248
249249 (5) Automatic termination of the accessory use upon the cessation of the farming operation.
250250
251251 Each county may require an environmental assessment under chapter 343 as a condition to any agricultural tourism use and activity.] Other uses may be allowed by special permits issued pursuant to this chapter. The minimum lot size in agricultural districts shall be determined by each county by zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, or other lawful means; provided that the minimum lot size for any agricultural use shall not be less than one acre, except as provided herein. If the county finds that unreasonable economic hardship to the owner or lessee of land cannot otherwise be prevented or where land utilization is improved, the county may allow lot sizes of less than the minimum lot size as specified by law for lots created by a consolidation of existing lots within an agricultural district and the resubdivision thereof; provided that the consolidation and resubdivision do not result in an increase in the number of lots over the number existing prior to consolidation; and provided further that in no event shall a lot which is equal to or exceeds the minimum lot size of one acre be less than that minimum after the consolidation and resubdivision action. The county may also allow lot sizes of less than the minimum lot size as specified by law for lots created or used for plantation community subdivisions as defined in section 205‑4.5(a)(12), for public, private, and quasi-public utility purposes, and for lots resulting from the subdivision of abandoned roadways and railroad easements."
252252
253253 SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
254254
255255 SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
256256
257257
258258
259259 INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
260260
261261 INTRODUCED BY:
262262
263263 _____________________________
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269269 Report Title: Agricultural Tourism; Land Use Commission; Uniform Statewide Standards Description: Makes state agricultural tourism requirements applicable to all counties, instead of only counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance. Requires Land Use Commission to adopt rules that establish requirements applicable to all farms implementing agricultural tourism. The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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277277 Report Title:
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279279 Agricultural Tourism; Land Use Commission; Uniform Statewide Standards
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283283 Description:
284284
285285 Makes state agricultural tourism requirements applicable to all counties, instead of only counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance. Requires Land Use Commission to adopt rules that establish requirements applicable to all farms implementing agricultural tourism.
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293293 The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.