Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2820 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to facilitate the transfer of agricultural land from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture.

In particular, this measure removes the requirement that the transfer of non-agricultural park lands involve parcels that are geographically adjacent to each other. The measure also expands the prohibition of not reducing the term of rents to cover the remaining fixed term of the applicable encumbrances.

Your Committee finds that this clarifying language is necessary for the purpose of consistency and that the restriction requiring geographical adjacency severely limits the availability of transferable lands and renders the non-agricultural parks program inoperable. The repeal of this language will further the goals of both departments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2820 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.