HB 612 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 205-50 to prohibit reclassification of lands designated as important agricultural lands from the agricultural district to another district if three conditions are met.

• Requires the landowner or lessee to be actively engaged in agricultural activities on the land as the primary use.

• Requires gross income from agricultural activities to equal or exceed $1,000,000 in at least one of the previous three tax years, as reported under Hawaii tax law.

• Maintains existing standards and criteria for reclassification decisions, including public benefit considerations and two-thirds vote requirements by the Land Use Commission or county decision-making bodies.

• Takes effect upon approval and does not affect rights, duties, or proceedings that occurred before the effective date.