STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3275

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1712

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1712, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit waste disposal facilities on important agricultural lands and lands with class A and B productivity ratings.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Larry Jefts Farms, LLC; Mahiku A‘o Mai Food Security Services; Restore the Commons; and Hawaii Crop Improvement Association. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Public Works of the County of Kaua‘i, Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii has limited land available for agriculture. Consequently, it is essential for the State to protect existing agricultural lands and lands that are suitable for agricultural use. This measure prohibits the use of important agricultural lands and agricultural lands with class A and B productivity ratings for waste disposal, thereby preserving Hawaii's agricultural lands.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1712, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair