SB 522: RELATING TO THE HALAULA AGRICULTURAL PARCEL.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE HALAULA AGRICULTURAL PARCEL.

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 authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to the agribusiness development corporation to complete the purchase of the fee simple interest in the Halaula agricultural parcel identified as tax map key: (3) 5-3-7:15.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $1,400,000 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 2025-2026 for the purpose of financing the purchase of a parcel of land for agricultural development identified as tax map key: (3) 5‑3‑7:15.

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

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 the Halaula Agricultural Parcel for agricultural development.  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 the halaula agricultural parcel.

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 authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to the agribusiness development corporation to complete the purchase of the fee simple interest in the Halaula agricultural parcel identified as tax map key: (3) 5-3-7:15.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $1,400,000 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 2025-2026 for the purpose of financing the purchase of a parcel of land for agricultural development identified as tax map key: (3) 5‑3‑7:15.

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

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 the Halaula Agricultural Parcel for agricultural development.

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. 463

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 522

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 522 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HALAULA AGRICULTURAL PARCEL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for the purchase of the Halaula Agricultural Parcel for agricultural development.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Island Harvest Inc.; Surety Kohala Corporation; North Kohala Community Development Plan Advisory Group; North Kohala Community Resource Center; Kohala Medical Herb Farm; Boteilho Hawaii Enterprises, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and eighteen individuals

     Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees find that strategic investment is necessary to revitalize the State's agricultural industry, which is critical to food security.  This measure will create jobs locally while stimulating the economy and self-sufficiency statewide by investing in a historically underserved but fertile region through the Agribusiness Development Corporation, an entity that is well‑equipped to realize its development.

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

     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. 522, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 522, 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,