STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1659

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 153

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 153 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO INCREASE COMPLIANCE WITH THE VARIOUS REQUIREMENTS FOR AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND TO PREVENT ABUSE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND LEASES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to study and make recommendations on how to increase compliance with the various requirements for agricultural lands and prevent abuse of agricultural land leases.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that some individuals abuse the benefits provided to farmers by building unpermitted structures on agricultural lands, illegally selling their leases, or simply failing to use the land for agricultural purposes. Your Committee further finds that this measure would help prevent the abuse of agricultural lands and agricultural land leases by requesting the Department of Agriculture to study potential deterrents, penalties, and other solutions and make recommendations on how to increase compliance with the various requirements for agricultural lands and agricultural land leases.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 153 and recommends its adoption.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair