STAND. COM. REP. NO. 174-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2146

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2146 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL TOURISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Make state agricultural tourism requirements applicable to all counties, instead of only counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance; and

(2) Require the Land Use Commission to adopt rules that establish requirements applicable to all farms implementing agricultural tourism.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaii Coffee Association; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that agricultural tourism is an industry with growing nationwide appeal and is ideal in Hawaii because of the unique farms and agriculturally-based operations in the State. Expanding agricultural tourism statewide supports economic development and contributes to the State's goals of increased food security and food self-sufficiency.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting the term "bona fide agricultural activity";

(2) Clarifying references to agricultural activities conducted on farming operations;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2146, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2146, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair