Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SB516 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	THE SENATE S.B. NO. 516 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to land use. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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3	3	THE SENATE S.B. NO. 516
4	4	THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
5	5	STATE OF HAWAII
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7	7	THE SENATE
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9	9	S.B. NO.
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11	11	516
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13	13	THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
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17	17	STATE OF HAWAII
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31	31	A BILL FOR AN ACT
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37	37	relating to land use.
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43	43	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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47	47	SECTION 1. Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "Part . Agricultural film production land use act. §201-A Short title. This part shall be known as the Agricultural Film Production Land Use Act. §201-B Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to permit, facilitate, and regulate responsible film production in agricultural zoned lands while fostering collaboration with any lineal descendants of the lands and ensuring the preservation, respect, and sustainable use of these lands for future generations. Encouragement of the film tourism industry shall be fostered through responsible film production in agricultural zoned lands that aims to showcase the cultural and historical significance of agricultural zoned lands in the State. §201-C Definitions. As used in this part: "Agricultural zoned land" means land designated for agricultural purposes under county zoning regulations. "Film permit" means the official authorization granted by relevant authorities for conducting film production on agricultural zoned lands. "Film production" means activities related to the creation of visual media content including filming, photography, and associated activities. "Film production area" means a designated areas within the agricultural zoned lands where film production is permitted. "Lineal descendant" means an individual directly descended from previous generations who has historical, ancestral, or cultural ties to the film production area. "Oversight committee" means the agricultural film production land use oversight committee established pursuant to section 201-E. "Structural integrity check" means a periodic assessment to ensure the stability and safety of any structure built for film production purposes. §201-D Permissible film production within agricultural zoned lands. (a) Film production on agricultural zoned lands is permitted pursuant to this part; provided that this part shall only apply to counties with a population less than five hundred thousand; provided further that: (1) The land is not: (A) Designated as important agricultural land under chapter 205, part III, Hawaii Revised Statutes; (B) Classified by the land study bureau's classification system as class A or B; and (C) Used for active agricultural crop production; (2) The film production company shall obtain all necessary film permits from the relevant government entities, outlining the scope of film production and adherence to guidelines; and (3) The film production company shall make efforts to involve lineal descendants in decision-making processes concerning film production on agricultural zoned lands with ancestral value, thereby respecting the cultural heritage and historical significance of these lands. (b) Film production areas may include temporary setups, such as tents for filming and catering. (c) Film set pieces and temporary structures constructed for film production purposes are permitted within film production areas; provided that the film set pieces and temporary structures comply with safety standards and undergo regular structural integrity checks. (d) Upon the request of the owner of the agricultural zoned land, the ownership and maintenance responsibilities of any film set piece and temporary structure may be transferred from the film production company to the owner of the agricultural zoned lands; provided that the terms of the transfer are mutually agreed upon between both parties. §201-E Agriculture film production land use oversight committee; establishment; responsibilities. (a) There is established within the creative industries division of the department an agricultural film production land use oversight committee consisting of experts in agriculture, conservation, heritage, and filmmaking to monitor and enforce compliance with regulations on film permit activities on agricultural zoned lands. (b) The oversight committee shall: (1) Establish strict guidelines and oversight regarding film production on agricultural zoned lands to ensure responsible land use; (2) Take adequate measures to address any environmental, cultural, or societal concerns arising from film production on agricultural zoned lands; (3) Ensure that all film production areas follow environmental and safety guidelines; and (4) Conduct periodic reviews and revisions to ensure effectiveness and alignment with evolving agricultural, environmental, and cultural preservation standards. (c) All owners of any set pieces or temporary structures constructed for film production purposes on agricultural zoned lands shall schedule annual structural integrity checks with the oversight committee to ensure compliance with safety standards. §201-F Rules. The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to effectuate the purposes of this part. §201-G Violations; penalties. Any violation of this part may result in fines, suspension or revocation of permits, and other legal consequences as deemed appropriate by the oversight committee established pursuant to section 201-E. §201-H Conflict with other regulations. Upon adoption, this part shall supersede any conflicting regulations to the extent permitted by law." SECTION 2. Section 205-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows: "§205-6 Special permit. (a) Subject to this section, the county planning commission may permit certain unusual and reasonable uses within agricultural and rural districts other than those for which the district is classified. Any person who desires to use the person's land within an agricultural or rural district other than for an agricultural or rural use, as the case may be, may petition the planning commission of the county within which the person's land is located for permission to use the person's land in the manner desired. Each county may establish the appropriate fee for processing the special permit petition. Copies of the special permit petition shall be forwarded to the land use commission, the office of planning and sustainable development, and the department of agriculture for their review and comment. (b) The planning commission, upon consultation with the central coordinating agency, except in counties where the planning commission is advisory only in which case the central coordinating agency, shall establish by rule or regulation, the time within which the hearing and action on petition for special permit shall occur. The county planning commission shall notify the land use commission and [such] those persons and agencies that may have an interest in the subject matter of the time and place of the hearing. (c) The county planning commission may, under [such] protective restrictions as may be deemed necessary, permit the desired use, but only when the use would promote the effectiveness and objectives of this chapter; provided that a use proposed for designated important agricultural lands shall not conflict with any part of this chapter. A decision in favor of the applicant shall require a majority vote of the total membership of the county planning commission. (d) Special permits for land the area of which is greater than fifteen acres or for lands designated as important agricultural lands shall be subject to approval by the land use commission. The land use commission may impose additional restrictions as may be necessary or appropriate in granting the approval, including the adherence to representations made by the applicant. (e) A copy of the decision, together with the complete record of the proceeding before the county planning commission on all special permit requests involving a land area greater than fifteen acres or for lands designated as important agricultural lands, shall be transmitted to the land use commission within sixty days after the decision is rendered. Within forty-five days after receipt of the complete record from the county planning commission, the land use commission shall act to approve, approve with modification, or deny the petition. A denial either by the county planning commission or by the land use commission, or a modification by the land use commission, as the case may be, of the desired use shall be appealable to the circuit court of the circuit in which the land is situated and shall be made pursuant to the Hawaii rules of civil procedure. (f) Land uses substantially involving or supporting educational ecotourism, related to the preservation of native Hawaiian endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species, that are allowed in an approved habitat conservation plan under section 195D-21 or safe harbor agreement under section 195D-22, which are not identified as permissible uses within the agricultural district under sections 205-2 and 205‑4.5, may be permitted in the agricultural district by special permit under this section, on lands with soils classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating class C, D, E, or U. (g) Land uses that are allowed pursuant to section 201-D, may be permitted in the agricultural district by special permit under this section." SECTION 3. In codifying the new sections added by section 1 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for letters used in designating the new sections in this Act. SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
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49	49	SECTION 1. Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
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51	51	"Part . Agricultural film production land use act.
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53	53	§201-A Short title. This part shall be known as the Agricultural Film Production Land Use Act.
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55	55	§201-B Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to permit, facilitate, and regulate responsible film production in agricultural zoned lands while fostering collaboration with any lineal descendants of the lands and ensuring the preservation, respect, and sustainable use of these lands for future generations. Encouragement of the film tourism industry shall be fostered through responsible film production in agricultural zoned lands that aims to showcase the cultural and historical significance of agricultural zoned lands in the State.
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57	57	§201-C Definitions. As used in this part:
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59	59	"Agricultural zoned land" means land designated for agricultural purposes under county zoning regulations.
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61	61	"Film permit" means the official authorization granted by relevant authorities for conducting film production on agricultural zoned lands.
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63	63	"Film production" means activities related to the creation of visual media content including filming, photography, and associated activities.
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65	65	"Film production area" means a designated areas within the agricultural zoned lands where film production is permitted.
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67	67	"Lineal descendant" means an individual directly descended from previous generations who has historical, ancestral, or cultural ties to the film production area.
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69	69	"Oversight committee" means the agricultural film production land use oversight committee established pursuant to section 201-E.
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71	71	"Structural integrity check" means a periodic assessment to ensure the stability and safety of any structure built for film production purposes.
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73	73	§201-D Permissible film production within agricultural zoned lands. (a) Film production on agricultural zoned lands is permitted pursuant to this part; provided that this part shall only apply to counties with a population less than five hundred thousand; provided further that:
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75	75	(1) The land is not:
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77	77	(A) Designated as important agricultural land under chapter 205, part III, Hawaii Revised Statutes;
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79	79	(B) Classified by the land study bureau's classification system as class A or B; and
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81	81	(C) Used for active agricultural crop production;
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83	83	(2) The film production company shall obtain all necessary film permits from the relevant government entities, outlining the scope of film production and adherence to guidelines; and
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85	85	(3) The film production company shall make efforts to involve lineal descendants in decision-making processes concerning film production on agricultural zoned lands with ancestral value, thereby respecting the cultural heritage and historical significance of these lands.
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87	87	(b) Film production areas may include temporary setups, such as tents for filming and catering.
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89	89	(c) Film set pieces and temporary structures constructed for film production purposes are permitted within film production areas; provided that the film set pieces and temporary structures comply with safety standards and undergo regular structural integrity checks.
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91	91	(d) Upon the request of the owner of the agricultural zoned land, the ownership and maintenance responsibilities of any film set piece and temporary structure may be transferred from the film production company to the owner of the agricultural zoned lands; provided that the terms of the transfer are mutually agreed upon between both parties.
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93	93	§201-E Agriculture film production land use oversight committee; establishment; responsibilities. (a) There is established within the creative industries division of the department an agricultural film production land use oversight committee consisting of experts in agriculture, conservation, heritage, and filmmaking to monitor and enforce compliance with regulations on film permit activities on agricultural zoned lands.
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95	95	(b) The oversight committee shall:
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97	97	(1) Establish strict guidelines and oversight regarding film production on agricultural zoned lands to ensure responsible land use;
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99	99	(2) Take adequate measures to address any environmental, cultural, or societal concerns arising from film production on agricultural zoned lands;
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101	101	(3) Ensure that all film production areas follow environmental and safety guidelines; and
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103	103	(4) Conduct periodic reviews and revisions to ensure effectiveness and alignment with evolving agricultural, environmental, and cultural preservation standards.
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105	105	(c) All owners of any set pieces or temporary structures constructed for film production purposes on agricultural zoned lands shall schedule annual structural integrity checks with the oversight committee to ensure compliance with safety standards.
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107	107	§201-F Rules. The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to effectuate the purposes of this part.
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109	109	§201-G Violations; penalties. Any violation of this part may result in fines, suspension or revocation of permits, and other legal consequences as deemed appropriate by the oversight committee established pursuant to section 201-E.
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111	111	§201-H Conflict with other regulations. Upon adoption, this part shall supersede any conflicting regulations to the extent permitted by law."
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113	113	SECTION 2. Section 205-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
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115	115	"§205-6 Special permit. (a) Subject to this section, the county planning commission may permit certain unusual and reasonable uses within agricultural and rural districts other than those for which the district is classified. Any person who desires to use the person's land within an agricultural or rural district other than for an agricultural or rural use, as the case may be, may petition the planning commission of the county within which the person's land is located for permission to use the person's land in the manner desired. Each county may establish the appropriate fee for processing the special permit petition. Copies of the special permit petition shall be forwarded to the land use commission, the office of planning and sustainable development, and the department of agriculture for their review and comment.
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117	117	(b) The planning commission, upon consultation with the central coordinating agency, except in counties where the planning commission is advisory only in which case the central coordinating agency, shall establish by rule or regulation, the time within which the hearing and action on petition for special permit shall occur. The county planning commission shall notify the land use commission and [such] those persons and agencies that may have an interest in the subject matter of the time and place of the hearing.
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119	119	(c) The county planning commission may, under [such] protective restrictions as may be deemed necessary, permit the desired use, but only when the use would promote the effectiveness and objectives of this chapter; provided that a use proposed for designated important agricultural lands shall not conflict with any part of this chapter. A decision in favor of the applicant shall require a majority vote of the total membership of the county planning commission.
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121	121	(d) Special permits for land the area of which is greater than fifteen acres or for lands designated as important agricultural lands shall be subject to approval by the land use commission. The land use commission may impose additional restrictions as may be necessary or appropriate in granting the approval, including the adherence to representations made by the applicant.
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123	123	(e) A copy of the decision, together with the complete record of the proceeding before the county planning commission on all special permit requests involving a land area greater than fifteen acres or for lands designated as important agricultural lands, shall be transmitted to the land use commission within sixty days after the decision is rendered.
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125	125	Within forty-five days after receipt of the complete record from the county planning commission, the land use commission shall act to approve, approve with modification, or deny the petition. A denial either by the county planning commission or by the land use commission, or a modification by the land use commission, as the case may be, of the desired use shall be appealable to the circuit court of the circuit in which the land is situated and shall be made pursuant to the Hawaii rules of civil procedure.
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127	127	(f) Land uses substantially involving or supporting educational ecotourism, related to the preservation of native Hawaiian endangered, threatened, proposed, and candidate species, that are allowed in an approved habitat conservation plan under section 195D-21 or safe harbor agreement under section 195D-22, which are not identified as permissible uses within the agricultural district under sections 205-2 and 205‑4.5, may be permitted in the agricultural district by special permit under this section, on lands with soils classified by the land study bureau's detailed land classification as overall (master) productivity rating class C, D, E, or U.
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129	129	(g) Land uses that are allowed pursuant to section 201-D, may be permitted in the agricultural district by special permit under this section."
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131	131	SECTION 3. In codifying the new sections added by section 1 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.
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133	133	SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
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135	135	SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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139	139	INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
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141	141	INTRODUCED BY:
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157	157	Report Title: Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Creative Industries Division; Agricultural Film Production Land Use Act; Agricultural Film Production Land Use Oversight Committee Description: Permits film production on lands that are zoned for agricultural use in counties with a population of less than five hundred thousand and that meet other conditions. Establishes the Agricultural Film Production Land Use Oversight Committee to monitor and enforce compliance with regulations on film permit activities on agricultural zoned lands. 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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165	165	Report Title:
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167	167	Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Creative Industries Division; Agricultural Film Production Land Use Act; Agricultural Film Production Land Use Oversight Committee
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171	171	Description:
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173	173	Permits film production on lands that are zoned for agricultural use in counties with a population of less than five hundred thousand and that meet other conditions. Establishes the Agricultural Film Production Land Use Oversight Committee to monitor and enforce compliance with regulations on film permit activities on agricultural zoned lands.
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181	181	The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.