STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2596

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2964

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2964 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize recreational athletic venues and cultural activities on existing golf courses within agricultural districts.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Mililani Neighborhood Board, Prince Waikiki Hotel and Hawaii Prince Golf Club, and AA & C Asbestos Removal. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one member of the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau.

Your Committees find that agriculture is essential to the State. To recognize the importance of agriculture to Hawaii and promote its growth, the State has established agricultural districts. However, some activities, such as recreational athletics and other cultural activities, have been unnecessarily prohibited in agricultural districts. This measure authorizes recreational venues and cultural activities on existing golf courses in agricultural districts to balance the State's need for agriculture with the quality of life of its residents.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2964, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2964, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair