Bill > HB884

This bill establishes a comprehensive legal framework to restrict foreign ownership of agricultural lands in Hawaii, responding to a significant increase in foreign-owned farmland over the past five years. The legislation creates an Office of Agricultural Intelligence within the Department of Agriculture to investigate and monitor foreign ownership of agricultural lands, and broadly defines "prohibited foreign parties" as including foreign governments, corporations organized in foreign countries, non-U.S. citizens not permanently residing in the U.S., and entities with significant foreign control. The bill prohibits these prohibited foreign parties from acquiring or holding agricultural lands, with a limited exception for resident aliens who can temporarily own such lands. If a prohibited foreign party acquires agricultural land, they will be required to divest within two years, and failure to do so could result in a civil action by the Attorney General leading to a court-ordered sale. The legislation also establishes serious consequences for violations, including classification as a class C felony, and provides for the recording of relevant actions with the Bureau of Conveyances. Additionally, the bill appropriates funds to establish the Office of Agricultural Intelligence and sets its effective date as July 1, 2025, with the primary goal of protecting Hawaii's agricultural resources and ensuring that agricultural lands are managed in alignment with local stakeholders' interests.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=884&year=2025