H.R. 123 - Agricultural-Based Commerce Activities Task Force

• Request the Department of Agriculture to convene a task force to review county requirements and reduce unnecessary permitting burdens for farmers engaged in agricultural-based commerce activities authorized under section 205-2(15) of Hawaii Revised Statutes.

• Task force must review individual county requirements for agricultural commerce, identify opportunities to reduce excessive permitting burdens, and develop strategies to assist farmers in the county approval process.

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

• Task force required to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Governor and Legislature twenty days prior to the convening of the 2016 Regular Session.

• Resolution affirms legislative intent to support agricultural commerce as a tool for farmer economic viability while respecting county home rule authority over land use regulation.