STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 738-24
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2024
RE: H.B. No. 2505
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2505, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAND USE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Increase the fines for violations of land use laws; and
(2) Impose enhanced fines for developers and owners of Important Agricultural Lands who repeatedly use the lands for unintended purposes.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.
Your Committee finds that the State established the designation of Important Agricultural Lands to fulfill a constitutional mandate to conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency, and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands. However, your Committee notes that there are individuals abusing the Important Agricultural Land designation as much of these lands are fallow and have not actively been used for farming or ranching. This measure will disincentivize any unintended uses of Important Agricultural Lands by imposing enhanced fines for those who do not use these lands as intended.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2505, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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