STAND. COM. REP. NO. 364

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 740

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 740 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SPECIAL PERMITS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Land Use Commission to designate another agency, including the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, or Agribusiness Development Corporation, to monitor compliance with any restrictions imposed in a special permit.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Food+ Policy.

 

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, and Land Use Commission.

 

     Your Committee finds that special permits are a vital tool in land use management, particularly for areas exceeding fifteen acres or designated as important agricultural lands.  Your Committee further finds that special permits allow the Land Use Commission to impose specific conditions that align with the State's goals for sustainable development and environmental protection.  However, existing law does not provide for ongoing oversight after an applicant has been granted a permit.  This measure ensures that permittees adhere to the conditions set forth in their permits by authorizing the Land Use Commission to designate certain other state agencies to monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of a special permit.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 740 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

 

 

 

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair