STAND. COM. REP. NO.  997

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 2

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide affordable housing for farm workers by authorizing the construction of tiny homes with less than 500 square feet of living space in agricultural districts in a county with a population of more than 180,000 but less than 250,000, notwithstanding any county ordinance or regulation to the contrary.  

The Hawaii Island Food Alliance, One Island Sustainable Living, Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance, and several individuals testified in support of the measure.  The Office of Planning testified in opposition.  The Department of Agriculture and Mayor of the County of Hawaii provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring the construction of tiny homes to comply with county ordinances and regulations; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

SCOTT Y. NISHIMOTO, Chair