Report Title:
Important Agricultural Lands; Real Property Taxes; Worker Housing
Description:
Exempts owners of real property designated as important agricultural lands from paying real property taxes. Provides farmer and employee housing on lands designated as important agricultural lands. (SD1)
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1877 |
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TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to Important Agricultural Lands.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
PART I
SECTION 1. Chapter 205, Part III, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§205- Exemptions; real property tax. A landowner with lands qualifying under section 205-44 shall be exempt from real property taxation that is determined and assessed from the value of the designated land."
SECTION 2. 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 2007-2008, to the city and county of Honolulu, the county of Maui, the county of Hawaii, and the county of Kauai to offset any revenues lost directly from exempting landowners of designated important agricultural lands from real property taxation.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of budget and finance for the purposes of this Act.
PART II
SECTION 3. Chapter 205, part III, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§205- Important agricultural land; residential housing. A landowner of lands qualifying under section 205-44 may develop, construct, and maintain residential dwelling units for farmers, employees, and their families; provided that:
(1) The farmers' dwelling units shall be used exclusively by farmers and their immediate family members who farm on the designated important agricultural land upon which the dwelling is situated; provided that the immediate family members of a farmer may live in separate dwelling units situated on the same designated land as the farmer's family's dwelling unit;
(2) The employee dwelling units shall be used exclusively by employees and their immediate family members who work on the designated important agricultural land upon which the dwelling is situated; provided that the immediate family members of the employee shall not live in separate dwelling units and shall live with the employee;
(3) The farmers' and employee dwelling units meet all applicable building code requirements;
(4) Notwithstanding section 205-4.5(a)(12), the landowner shall not plan or develop a residential subdivision on the designated important agricultural land; and
(5) The plans for farmers' and employee dwelling units shall be supported by agricultural plans that are approved by the department of agriculture."
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 2 shall take effect upon July 1, 2007.