HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

172

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

establishing a task force to examine how the land use commission can require mitigation for the loss of agricultural lands.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, agriculture in the form of sugar and pineapple plantations used to stand as one of the main pillars of Hawaii's economy; and

 

     WHEREAS, diversified agriculture, which provides products like coffee, macadamia nuts, and tropical flowers, can continue to contribute significantly to the state's economy; and

 

     WHEREAS, there is growing awareness by government leaders, the business community, and residents in general about the benefits of supporting local agriculture, including fresher food, the increased re-circulation of profits within the local economy, food security, and greater environmental sustainability; and

 

     WHEREAS, the popularity of consuming locally grown and produced food has risen markedly in recent years, as evidenced by the growth of farmers' markets and other settings in which consumers can purchase food directly from producers; and

 

     WHEREAS, a steady supply of food to Hawaii from offshore producers depends on the availability of continuous transportation links, which could be disrupted by a variety of external factors beyond the state's control, such as natural disasters, a calamitous spike in oil prices, or work stoppages at West Coast ports; and

 

     WHEREAS, encouraging the expansion of local agriculture can help reduce Hawaii's vulnerability to such externalities; and
     WHEREAS, the primary role of the State's Land Use Commission is to ensure that areas of state concern are addressed and considered in the land use decision-making process; and

 

     WHEREAS, among its duties, the Land Use Commission:

 

     (1)  Establishes the district boundaries for the entire state;

 

     (2)  Acts on petitions for boundary changes submitted by private landowners, developers, and state and county agencies; and

 

     (3)  Acts on requests for special use permits within the agricultural and rural districts;

 

and

 

     WHEREAS, residential developments are often constructed on lands that could be used for agricultural purposes; and

 

     WHEREAS, preserving agricultural lands--or at the very least, mitigating their loss--should be a priority for the State; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that an Agricultural-Lands Loss-Mitigation Task Force (Task Force) be established to study how the Land Use Commission can require mitigation for the loss of agricultural lands; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force be composed of:

 

     (1)  The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, or the Chairperson's designee, who will serve as the Chairperson of the Task Force;

 

     (2)  The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, or the Chairperson's designee;


     (3)  The Executive Officer of the Land Use Commission, or the Executive Officer's designee;

 

     (4)  The Executive Director of the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii;

 

     (5)  The Executive Director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, or the Executive Director's designee;

 

     (6)  The President of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, or the President's designee;

 

     (7)  The Director of the Hawaii Developers' Council, or the Director's designee; and

 

     (8)  Any other person or organization deemed necessary by the Chairperson of the Task Force;

 

and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force submit to the Legislature, no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012, a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, after the Task Force concludes its study; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to assist the Task Force in preparing its report and any proposed legislation; provided that the Chairperson of the Task Force submit a draft of the Task Force's proposals to the Legislative Reference Bureau for drafting no later than November 1, 2011; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Executive Officer of the Land Use Commission, Executive Director of the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, President of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, Director of the Hawaii Developers' Council, and Acting Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

Establishing an Agricultural-Lands Loss-Mitigation Task Force.