HI SR131

Requests the Office of Planning to establish an agricultural housing task force to analyze laws and rules affecting on-farm employee housing construction in Hawaii's agricultural districts.

Task force must study existing county and state laws, identify barriers to safe and affordable farmworker housing, and consider modular, portable, and temporary housing solutions.

Task force membership includes the Director of the Office of Planning (chairperson), Board of Agriculture Chairperson, Department of Health Deputy Director, Land Use Commission Chairperson, county planning representatives, two agricultural association members, and one housing-focused public interest representative.

Task force must submit preliminary findings and recommendations to the Legislature by twenty days before the 2021 regular session, a draft guide on employee housing approval processes by 2022, and a final report by 2025.

Proposes creating a unified permit process and separate legal designation for non-permanent foundation housing to streamline approval of on-farm employee housing across the state while preventing misuse of agricultural lands.