STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1757

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 778

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 778, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate comprehensive planning for the use of agricultural lands.

Specifically, this measure requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop an integrated land use study that incorporates various climate and sustainability goals and studies.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Farmers Union; and one individual.

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

Your Committee finds that a comprehensive and data-driven integrated land use study that incorporates various climate and sustainability goals and studies will help to guide future planning and decision making regarding uses of agricultural lands. Your Committee believes an integrated land use study will help determine the appropriate balance between competing land use priorities while ensuring that agriculture remains a viable industry in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 778, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 778, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair