HI HCR187

Request the Department of Agriculture to convene a task force to review county requirements for agricultural-based commercial operations and identify opportunities to reduce permitting burdens on farmers.

Task force to include representatives from the Board of Agriculture (serving as chair), University of Hawaii, all four counties' planning and economic development departments, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and one small farmer from each island.

Task force directed to review individual county requirements for agricultural-based commercial operations as defined in Hawaii Revised Statutes section 205-2(d)(15) and develop strategies to assist farmers in the county approval process.

Task force required to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Governor and Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the 2017 Regular Session.

Resolution acknowledges that Act 113 (2012) authorized agricultural-based commercial operations, but the Land Use Commission has not created implementing rules, leaving farmers to navigate multiple county ordinances perceived as excessively burdensome.