STAND. COM. REP. NO.  471

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 778

      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 Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 778, 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 help address Hawaii's lack of housing by allowing for dwelling units on certain non-prime agricultural lands, subject to certain conditions.

A concerned individual supported this measure.  The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and three concerned individuals opposed the measure.  The Land Use Commission and Office of Planning submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Permitting the counties to prohibit such dwelling units or to limit such dwelling units to certain areas of the county;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 31, 2150, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 778, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 778, H.D. 2, and be referred to your Committee on Housing.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair