2021 Hawaii Farm Bureau Legislative Priorities

(In Priority Order)

1. Relating to the Land Leases – SB 693/HB530 & HB 469

Purpose: The current Act 90 SLH 2003 has not been fully implemented to fulfill the intent of transferring land in agricultural use from the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to the Department of Agriculture (HDOA).

Justification: The success of ranchers and farmers is a key component in the State’s Sustainable Hawaii Initiative to double local food production by 2030. Ranchers need long-term leases in order to prudently invest in infrastructure improvement on the leased land. HDOA rules are set up to encourage agriculture and make it practical to do so. Lands for leases are appraised on their agricultural value. DLNR’s rules are to get the “Highest and Best use” for the lands and are often appraised at much higher values, unaffordable to farmers and ranchers. The intent of Act 90 was to ensure the long-term use of agricultural lands by transferring them to HDOA, which is more equipped to manage agricultural lands.

2. Relating to an Agricultural Enterprise Program – SB 1248 & SB 1025/HB 871

Purpose: Request to establish the agricultural enterprise program within the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA).

Justification: Smaller scale farming operations, particularly those in diversified agriculture, often do not have ready access to processing, packing, storage, and distribution facilities, and usually do not have the financial resources to construct these facilities. The agricultural enterprise program would allow HDOA or a lessee to “plan, design, construct, operate, manage, maintain, repair, demolish, and remove facilities” on designated lands; would allow transfer of suitable land from DLNR to HDOA.