STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1232

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 778

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 778, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INTEGRATED LAND USE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop an integrated land use study that incorporates the various climate and sustainability goals and studies to serve as a guide for planning and decision-making on the use of agricultural lands.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, 350Hawaii.org, Hawaii Food+ Policy, and one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committees find that the State has mandated multiple climate, sustainability, and affordable housing targets. Your Committees further find that with only four million acres of total land, the State faces immense pressure as affordable housing, renewable energy, and agriculture compete for limited space within the roughly two million acres belonging to the State's Agricultural District. Your Committees also find that a comprehensive, data-driven study is necessary to assess current land use, identity conflicts, and develop balanced solutions to ensure land use planning reflects the State's statutory mandates and policy commitments. Accordingly, this measure requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to conduct an integrated land use study to balance these competing priorities while ensuring that agriculture remains a viable and protected industry in the State.

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 H.B. No. 778, H.D. 2, 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