STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1278

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the construction of tiny homes of less than 500 square feet for farm workers in agricultural districts in a county with a population of more than 180,000 but less than 250,000.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Island Food Alliance; Momilani Farm; One Island Sustainable Living; Youth Challenge Academy Hilo; Pele Lani Farm, LLC; and fourteen individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of Planning, State of Hawaii; and Planning Department, County of Hawaii.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committees find that supporting agricultural production in the State is essential to ensuring the State's sustainability and health.  The lack of agricultural sustainability in the State is a constant and pressing concern.  One factor impeding greater agricultural production is the lack of affordable housing for farm workers, making it difficult for farms to attract and retain employees.  Authorizing the construction and use of "tiny homes", small dwelling units of less than 500 square feet which may be constructed significantly more quickly and cheaply than traditional homes, as affordable housing for farm workers will help encourage healthy and productive farming and increase the State's self-sustainability.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of May 22, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair