HB 827 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes to prioritize local food production by the Agribusiness Development Corporation and Department of Agriculture, adding local food production as an explicit goal in the corporation's findings and purpose.

• Adds definitions for "local food production" (crops, livestock, and foods grown in Hawaii for consumption by residents and visitors) and "primary business" (at least 50% of production distributed for local consumption).

• Requires the Department of Agriculture and Agribusiness Development Corporation to annually lease or license at least 50% of eligible land or lease renewals to agricultural operations whose primary business is food or crop production for local consumption, effective January 1, 2022.

• Mandates the Department of Agriculture to submit annual reports to the legislature (no later than 20 days before each regular session) and post on its website, detailing leased land information including lot counts by size and island, specialty farm protocols, vacant parcels, and lease transfers with descriptions of farm products produced.