H.B. 255 Summary

• Establishes local food self-sufficiency as the primary purpose of the Agribusiness Development Corporation, prioritizing production for local consumption over exports and requiring reduction of pesticide use

• Increases board membership from 11 to 15 voting members and requires board composition include at least 4 members with local food production experience, 2 with organic/natural farming expertise, and 1 with native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices expertise

• Requires the corporation to achieve within five years: at least 80% of lands leased for agricultural production, 50% of leases for sustainable farming methods (organic, Korean natural, or biodynamic), and 20% of leases for parcels no larger than 20 acres

• Mandates the corporation develop written policies and procedures within one year for board oversight, land application processes, property management, and file management; establishes executive director term limits of 5 years with no consecutive terms

• Prohibits lands from being leased to concentrated animal feeding operations within five years and requires soil testing of all leased lands with provisions for contaminant removal to pre-occupancy levels