Bill > SB1099

This bill amends Hawaii's land use law to give the Land Use Commission (LUC) additional authority to designate important agricultural lands (IAL) in cases where counties fail to complete their own IAL identification and recommendation process by December 31, 2027. Currently, the LUC can designate IAL through farmer/landowner petitions or county recommendations, but this bill adds a new provision allowing the commission to directly designate county or state lands as IAL if a county does not meet the 2027 deadline. The designation process requires the LUC to consider specific standards and criteria, including the land's agricultural potential, alignment with state agricultural policies, and existing IAL designations. The bill maintains existing requirements that IAL designation decisions must be based on written findings, approved by two-thirds of the commission's membership, and made through a public hearing process. The designated IAL maps will continue to guide state and county land use planning, agricultural development programs, and land reclassification decisions. The effective date is set for July 1, 3000, which appears to be a placeholder date typical in legislative drafting.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1099&year=2026