STAND. COM. REP. NO. 605

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1152

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1152 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to impose a 100-year moratorium on certain building or development projects that are on class A or B agricultural lands and agricultural district lands in senatorial districts 22 and 23, which comprise agricultural lands located in the area bounded by Wahiawa, Kaena Point, Kahuku, and Kaneohe on the north shore and windward coast of Oahu.

     This measure applies only to projects for which general planning has not already commenced.

     Your Committee finds that between 1969 and 2006, the amount of land zoned for agriculture declined by over 25,000 acres statewide.  On Oahu alone, land under cultivation decreased by 56 per cent between 1982 and 2005.  The moratorium imposed by this measure will prevent development from depleting Oahu's most productive agricultural lands, while also ensuring the availability of water for agriculture and the continued and increased production of local produce.  These protections and benefits are critical to the viability of agriculture in the State, as well as the State's economy and sustainability.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1152 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair