STAND. COM. REP. NO. 621
Honolulu, Hawaii
President of the Senate
Thirty-First State Legislature
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 489 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 increase the maximum area for each agricultural shade cloth structure, cold frame, and greenhouse that could qualify the structure for an exemption from building permit and building code requirements.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Office of Planning; University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Ulupono Initiative LLC, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Farming LLC; Hydroponics Alternatives LLC; and one individual.
Your Committee finds that the existing maximum area for each agricultural shade cloth structure, cold frame, and greenhouse that qualifies the structure for an exemption from building permit and building code requirements is twenty thousand square feet. Increasing the maximum area allowed from twenty thousand to sixty thousand square feet will support local food production. Your Committee finds that this measure is narrowly tailored to apply to agricultural structures meant for agricultural production. Your Committee further finds that this measure will drastically cut construction costs and effectively utilize the open areas currently required between smaller greenhouses. According to testimony received by your Committee, this measure will make farming more productive and economically feasible for farmers and help Hawaii reach its self-sustaining food production goals.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 489 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,
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________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair |
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