SB 2407: ADC; Agricultural Development; Hawaii Island; Property Manager; Position

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  There is established within the agribusiness development corporation one full time-equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii island property manager position.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

ADC; Agricultural Development; Hawaii Island; Property Manager; Position

Description:

Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii Island Property Manager position within the Agribusiness Development Corporation.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of one full time-equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii island property manager position within the agribusiness development corporation.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

ADC; Agriculture; Agricultural Development; Property Management; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates moneys for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii Island Property Manager position within the Agribusiness Development Corporation.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that strategic investment in the State's agricultural sector, particularly in the north Kohala district of Hawaii island, is necessary to revitalize the State's agricultural industry.  Despite north Kohala's fertile land and abundant natural resources, the region has been historically underserved, lacking the support required to realize its agricultural potential.  Consequently, the State struggles with agricultural production and food security and relies on imported goods.  Investment in this region would alleviate these challenges by revitalizing the agricultural industry, creating employment opportunities, and improving food self-sufficiency across the State.

     The legislature further finds that the agribusiness development corporation is uniquely positioned to oversee the purchase, management, and responsible development of agricultural lands in this region.  The Halaula agricultural parcel located in north Kohala offers significant potential for agricultural development, including sustainable agricultural practices, farming, livestock, and agroforestry.  Authorizing the agribusiness development corporation to purchase this property will stimulate economic growth, support community initiatives, and revitalize the rural economy in north Kohala.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to the agribusiness development corporation to complete the purchase of the fee simple interest in the north Kohala agricultural parcel identified as tax map key: (3) 5-3-7:16; and

     (2)  Establish a Hawaii island property manager position within the agribusiness development corporation.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purpose of financing the purchase of a parcel of land for agricultural development identified as tax map key: (3) 5‑3‑7:16.

     SECTION 3.  The sum appropriated in section 2 of this Act shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of one full time-equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii island property manager position within the agribusiness development corporation.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

ADC; North Kohala; GO Bonds; Agriculture; Agricultural Development; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for the purchase of an agricultural parcel for agricultural development.  Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii Island Property Manager position within the ADC.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that strategic investment in the State's agricultural sector, particularly in the north Kohala district of Hawaii island, is necessary to revitalize the State's agricultural industry.  Despite north Kohala's fertile land and abundant natural resources, the region has been historically underserved, lacking the support required to realize its agricultural potential.  Consequently, the State struggles with agricultural production and food security and relies on imported goods.  Investment in this region would alleviate these challenges by revitalizing the agricultural industry, creating employment opportunities, and improving food self-sufficiency across the State.

     The legislature further finds that the agribusiness development corporation is uniquely positioned to oversee the purchase, management, and responsible development of agricultural lands in this region.  The Halaula agricultural parcel located in north Kohala offers significant potential for agricultural development, including sustainable agricultural practices, farming, livestock, and agroforestry.  Authorizing the agribusiness development corporation to purchase this property will stimulate economic growth, support community initiatives, and revitalize the rural economy in north Kohala.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to the agribusiness development corporation to complete the purchase of the fee simple interest in the north Kohala agricultural parcel identified as tax map key: (3) 5-3-7:16; and

     (2)  Establish a Hawaii island property manager position within the agribusiness development corporation.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purpose of financing the purchase of a parcel of land for agricultural development identified as tax map key: (3) 5‑3-7:16.

     SECTION 3.  The sum appropriated in section 2 of this Act shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2029, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of one full time-equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii island property manager position within the agribusiness development corporation.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the agribusiness development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

ADC; North Kohala; GO Bonds; Agriculture; Agricultural Development; Appropriations

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for the purchase of an agricultural parcel for agricultural development.  Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii Island Property Manager position within the ADC.  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.

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2929

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2407

        S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2407, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to advance an effort to purchase the Halaula agricultural parcel in North Kohala on Hawaii Island.

     More specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to complete the purchase of the fee simple interest in the North Kohala agricultural parcel identified as Tax Map Key:  (3) 5‑3‑7:16; and

     (2)  Establishes a Hawaii Island property manager position with the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Surety Kohala Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Kohala Community Land Trust/Kohala Community Plan, Hawaii Institute of Pacific Agriculture, Fuertes Ohana Ranch, and numerous individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Attorney General, Hawaii Food+ Policy--Purple Maia Foundation, and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Agribusiness Development Corporation could utilize a full-time property manager on the island of Hawaii.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that this measure will provide the necessary funds to hire a Hawaii Island‑based property manager under the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by removing sections 1 through 4 of the measure related to the purchase of the agricultural parcel.

     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 S.B. No. 2407, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2407, S.D. 2.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2276

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2407

        S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2407 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for the purchase of an agricultural parcel for agricultural development;

     (2)  Establish one full-time equivalent Hawaii Island Property Manager position within the Agribusiness Development Corporation; and

     (3)  Appropriate funds.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, and Kohala Community Land Trust.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy.

     Your Committees find that strengthening local food production and increasing the use of locally grown products by public institutions are policy mandates integral to the State's economic development and resiliency goals.  Soil and crop suitability data indicates that lands in North Kohala are well-suited to diversified agricultural production that would support both institutional food supply needs, such as those of the Department of Education for school meals, and higher-value specialty and export markets.  This measure makes a strategic public investment to advance the State's food security mandates, institutional purchasing goals, economic diversification, and agricultural export potential.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation amount from:

          (A)  $1,000,000 to an unspecified amount for the purpose of financing the purchase of a parcel of land for agricultural development; and

          (B)  $200,000 to an unspecified amount for the establishment of one full-time-equivalent Hawaii Island Property Manager Position within the Agribusiness Development Corporation,

          to encourage further discussion on the measure;

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2407, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2407, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Agriculture and Environment,