SB 448: ADC; Conservation Easement; Agriculture; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that article XI, section 1, of the Hawaii State Constitution mandates that the State "conserve and protect Hawaii's natural beauty and all natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals and energy sources, and shall promote the development and utilization of these resources in a manner consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self-sufficiency of the State."  Article XI, section 3, of the Hawaii State Constitution further specifies that the State is obligated to "conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands."

     The legislature further finds that existing laws allow the creation of conservation easements to effectuate this constitutional mandate, as conservation easements may be created to preserve and protect land for agricultural use.  The State has also enacted ambitious mandates for the purchase of locally produced food.  Section 302A-405.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires thirty per cent of the food that the department of education serves in public schools be locally sourced by 2030, and section 27-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed, agricultural, or food products constitute at least fifty per cent of the total produce purchased by state departments by January 1, 2050.

     The legislature also finds that the State must act aggressively to meet these statutory mandates and to preserve and protect agricultural lands to ensure that they are available for future food production.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the agribusiness development corporation to acquire a conservation easement on agricultural lands in central Oahu.

     SECTION 2.  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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the agribusiness development corporation to acquire a conservation easement on agricultural lands in central Oahu.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

ADC; Conservation Easement; Agriculture; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement on agricultural lands in Central Oahu.  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 AGRICULTURE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that article XI, section 1 of the Hawaii State Constitution mandates that the State "conserve and protect Hawaii's natural beauty and all natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals and energy sources, and shall promote the development and utilization of these resources in a manner consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self-sufficiency of the State."  Article XI, section 3, of the Hawaii State Constitution further specifies that the State is obligated to "conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands."

     The legislature further finds that statute allows the creation of conservation easements to effectuate this constitutional mandate as conservation easements may be created to preserve and protect land for agricultural use.  The State has also enacted ambitious mandates for the purchase of locally produced food.  Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, requires thirty per cent of the food that the department of education serves in public schools be locally sourced by 2030, and Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, requires that fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed, agricultural, or food products constitute at least fifty per cent of the total produce purchased by state departments by January 1, 2050.

     The legislature also finds that the State must act aggressively to meet these statutory mandates and to preserve and protect agricultural lands to ensure that they are available for future food production.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the agribusiness development corporation to acquire a conservation easement in central Oahu.

     SECTION 2.  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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the acquisition of a conservation easement in central Oahu.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

ADC; Conservation Easement; Agriculture; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement in Central Oahu.  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 agriculture.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that article XI, section 1 of the Hawaii State Constitution mandates that the State "conserve and protect Hawaii's natural beauty and all natural resources, including land, water, air, minerals and energy sources, and shall promote the development and utilization of these resources in a manner consistent with their conservation and in furtherance of the self-sufficiency of the State."  Article XI, section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution further specifies that the State is obligated to "conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands."

     The legislature further finds that statute allows the creation of conservation easements to effectuate this constitutional mandate as conservation easements may be created to preserve and protect land for agricultural use.  The State has also enacted ambitious mandates for the purchase of locally produced food.  Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, requires thirty per cent of the food that the department of education serves in public schools be locally sourced by 2030, and Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, requires that fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed, agricultural, or food products constitute at least fifty per cent of the total produce purchased by state departments by January 1, 2050.

     The legislature also finds that the State must act aggressively to meet these statutory mandates and to preserve and protect agricultural lands to ensure that they are available for future food production.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the agribusiness development corporation to acquire a conservation easement in central Oahu.

     SECTION 2.  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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the acquisition of a conservation easement in central Oahu.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

ADC; Conservation Easement; Agriculture; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement in Central Oahu.

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.  1176

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.B. No. 448

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 448, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement in Central Oahu.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and Hawai‘i Farmers Union.

     Your Committee finds that conservation easements serve as a tool to preserve agricultural lands, supporting the State's goal of increasing local food production.  Despite ambitious mandates, such as requiring thirty percent of public school food to be locally sourced by 2030 and fifty percent of state department produce purchases to be local by 2050, stronger action is needed to protect agricultural lands for future food production.  This measure appropriates funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement on agricultural lands in Central Oahu, ensuring long-term agricultural viability.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the appropriation is for the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement on agricultural lands in Central Oahu;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 448, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 448, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 778

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 448

       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 S.B. No. 448, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement in Central Oahu.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, and Hawaii Farm Bureau.

     Your Committee finds that Chapter 198, Hawaii Revised Statutes, authorizes the creation of conservation easements to preserve and protect land for agricultural use.  Your Committee further finds that the State has enacted ambitious mandates for the purchase of locally produced food by certain dates to ensure the continued growth of local produce, support local farmers and ranchers, and guarantee that revenue derived from locally-grown food remains in the State.  Your Committee recognizes that the acquisition of a conservation easement in Central Oahu will help the State meet its local food production goals.

     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. 448, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 215

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 448

       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 Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 448 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire a conservation easement in Central Oahu.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau.

     Your Committee finds that throughout the State's history, Hawaii has prioritized conservation, protection of the environment, and responsible use of the State's land, air, water, and other natural resources.  This dedication has been mandated within the Hawaii State Constitution by specifying the State's obligation to conserve, protect, and develop responsible self-sufficiency with regards to natural resources and agricultural lands.  This constitutional mandate can be furthered through conservation easements, or legal agreements to limit the use of land in order to protect it from irresponsible overuse and irreparable damage.

     Your Committee further finds that the State has also displayed concerted efforts to promote agricultural self-sufficiency.  Through Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, and Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, regulations were set for state agencies to purchase locally sourced food and fresh local agricultural products to revitalize local agricultural communities.  Therefore, to meet the needs of Hawaii communities and follow the constitutional and statutory mandates by the Legislature, this measure will appropriate funds for acquiring a conservation easement in central Oahu.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     Your Committee notes that this measure contains an unspecified appropriation amount.  Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider an appropriation amount based on future requests made by the Agribusiness Development Corporation.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 448, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 448, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism,