STAND. COM. REP. NO. 392-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1703

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Culture & Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 1703, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAND USE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize rodeos and rodeo activities on various lands that are zoned for agricultural or pastoral use.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation and Iron Workers Stabilization Fund. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's ranching heritage and paniolo culture are deeply rooted in the State's history. From the introduction of cattle in 1793 and the development of skilled Native Hawaiian paniolo, rodeo and livestock-handling traditions have become an enduring expression of Hawaii's agricultural identity and cultural pride. Despite this legacy, rodeos and related activities are not consistently recognized within existing land use laws as permissible agricultural uses, creating uncertainty for ranchers and event organizers. This measure authorizes rodeos and rodeo activities as allowable uses on lands zoned for agricultural or pastoral purposes, including certain public lands, thereby honoring Hawaii's ranching traditions while aligning land use statutes with long-standing agricultural and cultural practices.

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 Culture & Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1703, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1703, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture & Arts,

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair