Bill > SB496

This bill addresses the lack of clear definitions for "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity" in Hawaii by requiring the Board of Agriculture to develop comprehensive definitions. The legislation mandates that these definitions, which will be added to section 141-1 of Hawaii Revised Statutes, must include specific criteria such as minimum income threshold, primary occupation, farm size or scale, and commercial focus. The Board of Agriculture is required to seek input from stakeholders during the definition drafting process and must submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2026 regular legislative session. The purpose of this bill is to resolve inconsistencies in allocating agricultural resources, clarify tax and land use policies, and support sustainable agricultural goals by establishing a precise legal framework for identifying genuine farmers and agricultural activities. By creating these definitions, the state aims to ensure that agricultural resources and support are directed to individuals and operations truly committed to farming.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=496&year=2025