STAND. COM. REP. NO. 329

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 226

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 226 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAND EXCHANGE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Allow the Governor to negotiate land exchanges to acquire lands suitable for long-term diversified agricultural production in return for state lands to be developed for affordable, workforce, and other housing; and

(2) Require the Governor to report to the Legislature any potential or negotiated land exchanges for final legislative approval.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Ulupono Initiative, and one individual. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committees find that this measure provides the State with opportunities to negotiate mutually beneficial land exchanges with private landowners to reach its goals of food security and sustainability.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 226 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair