Bill > SB240

This bill amends Hawaii's Right to Farm Act to refine protections for agricultural operations while balancing community interests. The legislation expands the definition of "farming operation" to include customary and traditional subsistence farming by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, while explicitly excluding concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and businesses with non-transparent ownership structures. The bill establishes new criteria for farming operations to receive nuisance lawsuit protection, requiring that they were established before surrounding non-agricultural activities, conducted using generally accepted agricultural practices, and do not cause significant environmental or public health harm. Additionally, the bill empowers counties to create agricultural practice ordinances and requires farming operations to publicly disclose their ownership and beneficiary structures to receive legal protections. The legislative intent is to prevent misuse of farming protections, safeguard local community rights, protect environmental and public health interests, and ensure transparency in agricultural operations. These changes aim to create a more balanced approach to agricultural protection that considers both farmers' rights and community well-being.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=240&year=2025