STAND. COM. REP. NO.  643

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 307

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 307, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PARK LEASES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Agriculture to extend the agricultural park lease of any lessee who holds a lease with a remaining term of fifteen years or less as long as the land covered by the lease is twenty-five acres or less and located in a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Local Food Coalition, H & L Terada Farm, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Kawasaki Nursery, and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

 

Your Committee finds that due to the uncertainty of continued tenancy, lessees of agricultural park lands have little incentive to make major investments in improvements to their infrastructures and ensure the long-term maintenance of their facilities.  This measure allows the Department of Agriculture to extend certain leases, thereby encouraging the ongoing viability of agricultural operations to continue without disruption.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 307, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair