SB 1331: RELATING TO THE LAND STUDY BUREAU SOIL RATING SYSTEM.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-02-13
Current Status:
Failed
(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in coordination with other agencies, to update the soil data used in the land study bureau soil rating system and create a mechanism for regular soil data updates. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)
Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in coordination with other agencies, to update the soil data used in the land study bureau soil rating system and create a mechanism for regular soil data updates. Appropriates funds.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1331 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE LAND STUDY BUREAU SOIL RATING SYSTEM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that one of the findings of the Act 189 study is that the soil data used in the land study bureau soil rating system have not been updated since the land study bureau soil rating system was originally created in the 1960s and 1970s, and there is no process to regularly incorporate new soil data. This undermines the credibility of the land study bureau soil ratings used to guide the regulation of agricultural lands.
The legislature further finds that there is a need to update the soil data used by the land study bureau soil rating system, and establish a process for regularly updating the soil data to provide public assurance on the integrity of the land study bureau soil rating system.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to update the soil data used by the land study bureau soil rating system with current data and approaches.
SECTION 2. (a) The office of planning and sustainable development shall update the soil data used by the land study bureau soil rating system by incorporating the latest United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service's soil data for the State and soil data from other soil rating systems used in the State, developing a process for regularly incorporating United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service soil data updates for the State, creating detailed digital maps that show the soils across the State, and drafting statutory and ordinance changes that may be necessary to align State and county governance with the updated soil data used by the land study bureau soil rating system. The office may procure consultant services to update the soil data used by the land study bureau soil rating system.
(b) The office of planning and sustainable development shall collaborate with the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the American Farmland Trust to ensure that the land study bureau soil rating system aligns with national standards and best practices.
(c) The office of planning and sustainable development shall establish a public process for reviewing and refining the updated soil data in the land study bureau soil rating system and draft maps.
(d) The office of planning and sustainable development shall present the final land study bureau soil rating system that incorporates the updated soil data and maps to the legislature within twenty-four months of the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. In conducting the work required by this Act, the office of planning and sustainable development shall request, as appropriate, the assistance of the department of land and natural resources, the department of agriculture, the college of tropical agriculture and human resilience of the university of Hawaii, the land use commission, and the county planning and permitting agencies, which shall cooperate with the office.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the office of planning and sustainable development to conduct the work required by this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of planning and sustainable development for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2050.
Report Title:
OPSD; Land Study Bureau Soil Rating System; Soils; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in coordination with other agencies, to update the soil data used in the land study bureau soil rating system and create a mechanism for regular soil data updates. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1331 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE LAND STUDY BUREAU SOIL RATING SYSTEM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that one of the findings of the Act 189 study is that the soil data used in the land study bureau soil rating system have not been updated since the land study bureau soil rating system was originally created in the 1960s and 1970s, and there is no process to regularly incorporate new soil data. This undermines the credibility of the land study bureau soil ratings used to guide the regulation of agricultural lands.
The legislature further finds that there is a need to update the soil data used by the land study bureau soil rating system, and establish a process for regularly updating the soil data to provide public assurance on the integrity of the land study bureau soil rating system.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Update the soil data used by the land study bureau soil rating system with current data and approaches; and
(2) Appropriate funds.
SECTION 2. (a) The office of planning and sustainable development shall update the soil data used by the land study bureau soil rating system by incorporating the latest United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service's soil data for the State and soil data from other soil rating systems used in the State, developing a process for regularly incorporating United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service soil data updates for the State, creating detailed digital maps that show the soils across the State, and drafting statutory and ordinance changes that may be necessary to align State and county governance with the updated soil data used by the land study bureau soil rating system. The office may procure consultant services to update the soil data used by the land study bureau soil rating system.
(b) The office of planning and sustainable development shall collaborate with the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the American Farmland Trust to ensure that the land study bureau soil rating system aligns with national standards and best practices.
(c) The office of planning and sustainable development shall establish a public process for reviewing and refining the updated soil data in the land study bureau soil rating system and draft maps.
(d) The office of planning and sustainable development shall present the final land study bureau soil rating system that incorporates the updated soil data and maps to the legislature within twenty-four months of the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. In conducting the work required by this Act, the office of planning and sustainable development shall request, as appropriate, the assistance of the department of land and natural resources, the department of agriculture, the college of tropical agriculture and human resources of the university of Hawaii, the land use commission, and the county planning and permitting agencies, which shall cooperate with the office.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the office of planning and sustainable development to conduct the work required by this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of planning and sustainable development for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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BY REQUEST |
Report Title:
OPSD; Land Study Bureau Soil Rating System; Soils; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in coordination with other agencies, to update the soil data used in the land study bureau soil rating system and create a mechanism for regular soil data updates. Appropriates funds.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Feb 14, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 14, 2025 | Reported from WTL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 598) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 10, 2025 | The committee(s) on WTL recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WTL were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Chang, McKelvey, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 5, 2025 | The committee(s) on WTL has scheduled a public hearing on 02-10-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 27, 2025 | Referred to WTL, WAM. |
| Jan 23, 2025 | Introduced and passed First Reading. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Pending Introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Feb 10, 2025 | The committee(s) on WTL recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Water and Land |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Board of Agriculture | *** Support | Feb 10, 2025 |
| College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience | *** Support | Feb 10, 2025 |
| Department of Agriculture | ** Support | |
| Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United | ** Support | |
| Hawai‘i Farm Bureau | *** Support | Feb 10, 2025 |
| Office of Planning and Sustainable Development | ** Support | |
| University of Hawaiʻi System | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 598
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 1331
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 Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 1331 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE LAND STUDY BUREAU SOIL RATING SYSTEM,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to update the soil data used by the Land Study Bureau Soil Rating System with current data and approaches.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Department of Agriculture; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.
Your Committee finds that accurate soil data reflecting soil characteristics, soil properties, and identification of limits, risks, and soil suitability for various uses helps optimize public and private investments in agriculture. This measure will ensure the optimal use of the State's agricultural lands by requiring the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to update the soil data used by the Land Study Bureau.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the name of CTAHR from the College of Agriculture and Human Resources to the College of Agriculture and Human Resilience, to reflect its recent name change;
(2) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
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. 1331, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1331, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,
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________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Feb 10, 2025 | SB1331_TESTIMONY_WTL_02-10-25_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
4MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services
4MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Water and Land
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):