S.B. 1498 - Protection of Taro

• Establishes a new "fourth class" land classification for taro lands on state-owned conservation district lands with high productivity, preventing district boundary amendments to these lands.

• Prohibits the Board of Land and Natural Resources from disturbing, acquiring, or developing undeveloped wetland taro lands currently in use for taro cultivation, including ancient taro-growing systems and their structural elements (auwai, terraces, walls).

• Permits retention, restoration, and rehabilitation of walls, terraces, and supporting structures for loi taro fields in the agricultural district when in use for wetland taro cultivation.

• Authorizes the Land Use Commission to create an inventory of taro lands in consultation with agencies and former members of the Taro Security and Purity Task Force.

• Adds growth and perpetuation of traditional Hawaiian crops as an objective of Hawaii's state agricultural planning under the Hawaii State Planning Act.

• Effective July 1, 2050.