HI HB2738

Authorizes counties to establish permitted uses and infrastructure standards for urban and rural land use districts through local ordinances, shifting regulatory authority from state land use commission.

Allows landowners to petition the land use commission to classify their agricultural land as "agricultural lands" if the land has been continuously used for agriculture for ten years, even if it doesn't meet standard productivity criteria.

Establishes new criteria for reclassifying agricultural lands, requiring a two-thirds vote by the land use commission and findings that reclassification will not harm other agricultural operations or fragment agricultural areas.

Eliminates the special permit process for nonagricultural uses in agricultural and rural districts; repeals provisions allowing "unusual and reasonable uses" in these districts.

Requires the land use commission to reclassify agricultural and rural lands by December 31, 2012, based on new district boundary amendment procedures that allow counties and the office of planning to petition for amendments.