Bill > SB1251

This bill establishes statewide, uniform standards for agricultural tourism activities in Hawaii, addressing the current inconsistent regulatory framework across the state's counties. The legislation creates a comprehensive framework that allows farmers to diversify their income by offering tourism experiences while ensuring these activities remain secondary to actual agricultural operations. Specifically, the bill requires agricultural tourism activities to be registered with the county planning commission and mandates that such activities must coexist with active agricultural operations, with revenue from tourism not exceeding revenue from agricultural production. The activities can include visitor experiences and even overnight accommodations (limited to 21 days per year in a single county), but must be accessory to and not interfere with the primary farming operation. Importantly, the authorization for these agricultural tourism activities will automatically terminate if the underlying agricultural activity ceases. The bill aims to support farmers by creating a more predictable and supportive regulatory environment, potentially helping agricultural businesses generate supplemental revenue and promote public understanding of farming practices while maintaining the integrity of agricultural lands.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1251&year=2025