Bill > SB2750

This bill, relating to public lands, proposes to increase the maximum term for leases of public lands from sixty-five years to ninety-nine years, and it prohibits commercial leases and government use agreements for public lands from being issued at rates below market rate, which is the current fair value of the land. The bill includes exceptions to this market rate requirement, such as for the department of Hawaiian home lands, transfers between state departments or agencies (though subsequent leases to third parties must still be at market rate), and ninety-nine-year leasehold-for-sale housing developments for state residents. The legislature's findings indicate that past practices of issuing leases for a nominal amount, such as $1, have resulted in significant financial losses for the state while benefiting profitable institutions, and that such agreements could be deemed unconscionable due to unfair bargaining or terms. The intent is to generate substantial revenue from public land leases, which can then be used for public benefit projects like affordable housing, renewable energy, and infrastructure improvements.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2750&year=2026