Bill > SB443

This bill modifies existing Hawaiian law regarding agricultural districts and renewable energy facilities, specifically requiring that lands with class B or C soils hosting solar or wind energy facilities must also obtain certification from the Department of Agriculture that they are simultaneously being used for a legitimate farming operation. The bill amends sections of Hawaii Revised Statutes to clarify that wind energy production, solar energy facilities, and wind farms on agricultural lands can only be permitted if they are coexisting with active agricultural activities, as defined by the Department of Agriculture. This means that renewable energy projects cannot simply occupy agricultural land without maintaining some form of agricultural production, such as crop cultivation, animal husbandry, or other farming activities. The goal appears to be preserving the agricultural utility of lands while allowing for renewable energy development, ensuring that valuable agricultural areas are not completely converted to energy production without maintaining their primary agricultural purpose. The bill includes specific provisions about land use percentages, certification requirements, and decommissioning standards for solar and wind energy facilities, with the intent of protecting agricultural land resources while supporting renewable energy development.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=443&year=2026