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-related experiences while ensuring these activities remain secondary to the primary agricultural purpose. Key provisions include requiring agricultural tourism activities to be registered with the county planning commission, mandating that these activities coexist with active agricultural operations, and limiting overnight accommodations to 21 days or less per year for any individual visitor. The bill specifies that revenue from tourism activities cannot exceed revenue from the primary agricultural activity, and that such activities must be accessory and secondary to the farm's main agricultural operations. The legislation aims to support farmers by creating a more predictable and supportive environment for agricultural tourism, potentially helping to create new revenue streams and promote public understanding of agricultural practices. Additionally, the bill makes several technical amendments to existing statutes to align with these new agricultural tourism provisions, updating references and definitions across multiple sections of Hawaii's state law.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1251&year=2026