Bill > SB1006

This bill establishes a comprehensive legal framework to prohibit foreign parties from owning land within 10 miles of military installations or other lands in Hawaii. The legislation defines "prohibited foreign parties" as non-U.S. citizens or entities with significant control by non-citizens, and creates an Office of Intelligence within the Department of Defense to investigate potential land ownership violations. Under the bill, prohibited foreign parties are forbidden from acquiring, holding, or maintaining interests in proximate lands, with a requirement to sell or divest such interests within a specified timeframe. The Attorney General is empowered to investigate potential violations, issue subpoenas, and initiate civil actions to forfeit illegally held land. Violators can face serious consequences, including being charged with a class C felony, and the bill mandates that any illegally held land be sold through a court-ordered process, with proceeds distributed to legitimate lienholders. Notably, the bill does not allow resident aliens to use their status as an affirmative defense, and it does not invalidate land titles due to previous ownership violations. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes an appropriation to establish the new Office of Intelligence and related positions.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1006&year=2026