HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2638

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to agricultural land use potential.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State needs to become self-sufficient in growing its own food, as eighty-five to ninety per cent of the State's food is imported.

     The legislature further finds that forty-two per cent of the State's agricultural land is currently unfarmed and that the government is the largest landowner in the State, owning over 1,600,000 acres out of the 4,100,000 acres of total land in the State.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require the department of agriculture to contract a third-party entity to compile a report evaluating the agricultural land use potential of each parcel of state-owned lands greater than five acres, excluding commercial, residential, and department of education lands; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds for the report.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of agriculture shall identify and evaluate each parcel of state-owned lands, excluding commercial, residential, and department of education lands, but including lands set aside under the Hawaii Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, to determine the agricultural potential of each parcel through the assessment of water availability and other physical elements associated with each parcel.

     (b)  The department of agriculture shall contract a third-party entity to compile a report comprising each parcel of state-owned lands of five acres or more, excluding commercial, residential, and department of education lands.  The report shall evaluate each parcel for its agricultural potential for various agricultural crops and livestock production and shall include the following information for each parcel, as applicable:

     (1)  Tax Map Key;

     (2)  Total acreage;

     (3)  Millions of gallons per day in nearest aquifer;

     (4)  Inches per year of rainfall;

     (5)  Elevation;

     (6)  Nautical direction;

     (7)  Subtotal of acres in zones;

     (8)  Subtotal of acres in divisions;

     (9)  Percentage of total acres per island; and

    (10)  Presence of any of the following features:

          (A)  Agricultural lands;

          (B)  Important agricultural lands;

          (C)  Unique lands;

          (D)  Waste lands;

          (E)  Steep lands;

          (F)  Pasture;

          (G)  Dense Forest;

          (H)  Wetlands; and

          (I)  Gulches.

     (c)  The department of agriculture shall submit the report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

     SECTION 3.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or       per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purposes of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.   

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

DOA; State-owned Land; Agricultural Land Use Potential; Report; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to contract a third-party entity to compile a report evaluating the agricultural land use potential of each parcel of state-owned lands greater than five acres, excluding commercial, residential, and department of education lands.  Requires a report.  Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.  Makes an appropriation.

 

 

 

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