STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2253

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3157

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 3157 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand the disposition of public land leases through direct negotiation to include agricultural, commercial, industrial, resort, and hotel purposes.

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, UNITE HERE! Local 5, and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council.

Your Committee finds that the public auction process normally used to dispose of public land leases is too protracted, cumbersome, and uncertain to the extent that is has deterred participation by potential lessees. Expediting the leasing process may make properties more attractive to prospective lessees and create a long-term revenue stream. This measure will facilitate the productive use of lands for agricultural, commercial, industrial, hotel, and resort purposes to create economic development and growth, additional jobs, and increased public and private revenues.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3157, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3157, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair