STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3167

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2701

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2701 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to grant county agencies the right to enter property to investigate agricultural buildings and structures for violations of and compliance with building code exemption qualifications.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Office of Planning; County of Hawai‘i, Office of the Mayor; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that existing law includes specific requirements for agricultural buildings to ensure appropriate usage of lands in specified areas and to protect the well-being of the public and the land itself. The existence of non-compliant agricultural buildings threatens public health and safety; however, county agencies lack a sufficient mechanism to allow for the proper inspection of agricultural buildings to enforce compliance with statutory requirements. This measure addresses the lack of on-site inspection authority of exempted agricultural buildings by county departments or agencies.

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 S.B. No. 2701 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair