HI HB249

Amends Hawaii's statewide planning system to establish a priority order for strategic planning activities: historic and cultural preservation, open space preservation, and economic development zones, in that order.

Requires strategic planning processes to prioritize preservation of historic and cultural places and things of importance to the State as the first consideration.

Establishes retention and preservation of valuable open spaces as the second priority in strategic planning activities.

Designates creation of economic development zones as the third priority, with focus on concentrating economic development activities near existing population centers to enhance job creation and reduce infrastructure costs.

Takes effect upon approval and applies to state agency land use decisionmaking and budgetary processes consistent with the established priority framework.