REPORT TITLE:
Agricultural parks


DESCRIPTION:
Authorizes the department of agriculture to allow, in each of its
existing and future agricultural parks, the disposition of no
more than two lots within an agricultural park for the
processing, marketing, and displaying of agricultural crops or
commodities, which includes any product created through value-
added processes as defined by rules adopted by the board of
agriculture.  (HB945 CD1)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        945
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES                H.B. NO.           H.D. 1
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII                                            C.D. 1
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PARKS.



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

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the lands of Hawaii's
 
 2 agricultural parks should be utilized to their fullest and
 
 3 highest potential.  Unfortunately, many lessees lack the
 
 4 resources or methods to display and market their crops and
 
 5 commodities in a setting that is conducive to public access by
 
 6 both residents and visitors.  Further, the agricultural park
 
 7 program's statutory limitation prevents lessees from operating a
 
 8 commercial venture within the agricultural park complex.  The
 
 9 legislature finds that the department of agriculture should take
 
10 a more active role in assisting and promoting agriculture-related
 
11 commercial activity within an agricultural park complex.
 
12      The purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of
 
13 agriculture to allow agriculture-related commercial operations to
 
14 be conducted by lessees in agricultural park complexes.  These
 
15 commercial activities may include processing, marketing, and
 
16 displaying agricultural crops or commodities for sale at a common
 
17 site within the agricultural park complex.  A qualifying project
 
18 shall be for public use and shall promote the public interest and
 
19 welfare by supporting the economy of the State.
 

 
Page 2                                                     945
                                     H.B. NO.           H.D. 1
                                                        S.D. 1
                                                        C.D. 1

 
 1      SECTION 2.  Chapter 166, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended
 
 2 by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to
 
 3 read as follows:
 
 4      "�166-    Commercial activity.  The department may allow, in
 
 5 each of its existing and future agricultural parks, the
 
 6 disposition of no more than two lots within an agricultural park
 
 7 for the processing, marketing, and displaying of agricultural
 
 8 crops or commodities, which shall include any product created
 
 9 through value-added processes as defined by rules adopted by the
 
10 board.  The department shall allow agricultural-based commercial
 
11 venture operations that may sell to the general public; provided
 
12 that any such lots shall be leased and operated by an
 
13 agricultural park lessee in good standing with the department."
 
14      SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.
 
15      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.