Bill > HB966

This bill establishes a statewide, uniform framework for agricultural tourism activities in Hawaii, addressing the current inconsistent regulatory approach across different counties. The legislation creates comprehensive standards for agricultural tourism, requiring these activities to be registered with county planning departments and mandating that they remain accessory and secondary to the primary agricultural use of the land. Specifically, agricultural tourism activities must coexist with active agricultural operations, be conducted on land with a productive agricultural use (defined as being taxed as agricultural and current on property tax obligations), and can include overnight accommodations of up to 21 days. The registration process requires farmers to provide details about farm access, accessory facilities, and visitor activities. Importantly, the authorization for these tourism activities will be automatically terminated if the underlying agricultural activity ceases. The bill aims to support farmers by creating a more predictable and supportive regulatory environment, potentially providing additional revenue streams for agricultural businesses while ensuring that tourism does not interfere with or replace primary agricultural operations. By standardizing regulations across Hawaii's counties, the legislation seeks to promote agricultural tourism as a viable economic strategy for farmers and support the state's agricultural sector.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=966&year=2026