STAND. COM. REP. NO.  43-22

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2022

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1712

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1712 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to protect agricultural lands in Hawaii for agricultural use by prohibiting the siting of waste disposal facilities on important agricultural lands and agricultural lands with class A productivity ratings.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Environmental Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

 

     Your Committee finds that siting landfills on agricultural lands presents safety and compliance problems for farmers and the public.  Situating a landfill on or near farmland jeopardizes crop safety because it may cause contamination through dust, soil runoff, or poor water quality.  Agriculture plays an important part in Hawaii's economy and sustainability strategy.  Your Committee firmly believes that the primary use of lands within the agricultural district, especially lands with the most productive soils, should be reserved primarily for actual agricultural purposes.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Also prohibiting the siting of waste disposal facilities on agricultural lands with class B soil;

 

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, 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 Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1712, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1712, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair