STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1325-24

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2024

 

RE:   S.B. No. 3157

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3157, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DIRECT NEGOTIATION FOR PUBLIC LAND LEASES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Board of Land and Natural Resources to dispose of public land leases by direct negotiation for commercial or industrial use on parcels of up to five acres.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council and UNITE HERE Local 5.

 

     Your Committee finds that disposing of certain public land leases by public auction is often cumbersome and has been a deterrent to leasing public lands, resulting in many properties remaining vacant, generating no income, and serving no public benefit.  Allowing the Board of Land and Natural Resources to directly lease public lands for certain commercial and industrial use would make these leases more attractive while also ensuring that the public interest is protected in the process through existing statutory safeguards.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3157, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3157, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair