HI HB994

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to conduct a study on redefining and expanding the state rural land use district, which currently comprises only 10,454 acres (0.3% of state lands) with no rural district lands on Oahu.

Study must analyze rural district policies, research best practices from other jurisdictions, identify areas for reclassification from agricultural to rural district, and develop legislative recommendations to facilitate expansion.

Office of Planning and Sustainable Development shall coordinate with the Land Use Commission, Department of Agriculture, county planning departments, and community stakeholders including farming interests in developing study recommendations.

Requires interim report to legislature no later than 20 days before the 2024 regular session and final report no later than 20 days before the 2025 regular session, each including proposed legislation.

Appropriates unspecified funds (amount blank in bill text) from general revenues for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct the study.