STAND. COM. REP. NO. 121-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2192

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2192 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the maximum area to 60,000 square feet for agricultural shade cloth structures, cold frames, or greenhouses that can qualify for an exemption from building permit and building code requirements.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Big Island Produce; Hawaii Farming LLC; Hawaii Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association; Bamboo Farm; Shrimp Improvement Systems, LLC; Ulupono Initiative; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau.

Your Committee finds that larger agricultural structures are important in scaling up agricultural production, which ultimately increase Hawaii's food security.

Your Committee further finds that county ordinances that impose substantial setback areas, such as 60 feet, around greenhouses using polycarbonate covering because of flammability concerns do not take into consideration the polycarbonate covering in current use on greenhouses, which will not sustain burning.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 31, 2150, to encourage further discussion.

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. 2192, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2192, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair