HI HB575

Allows lessees of state commercial and industrial lands to request a renewal process during the final ten years of their original lease term, providing certainty for businesses and encouraging property maintenance and improvements.

Requires the board to appraise the property, publish a request for interest statewide and locally within 180 days of a lessee's written request, and determine qualified applicants within 90 days.

Permits direct negotiation between the board and current lessee if no other qualified persons express interest; if other qualified persons do express interest, requires public auction with the current lessee's existing business plan deemed acceptable.

Establishes that new lease terms shall commence after the current lease ends, rent at no less than fair market value, and include a premium paid to the current lessee for any improvements made after the original request date if awarded to a new lessee.

Authorizes the board to extend public land leases to schools and government entities beyond the 65-year maximum without public auction, except for University of Hawaii lands within conservation districts with astronomical observatories.