HI HB995

Clarifies that the Land Use Commission's adoption of county maps designating important agricultural lands shall occur through rulemaking (not contested case proceedings) in conformance with Hawaii Administrative Rules.

Requires the Land Use Commission to conduct at least one public hearing in the county where the land is located and designate lands by a two-thirds majority vote, considering county maps, declaratory orders, and landowner statements against criteria in section 205-44.

Establishes a new "farm cluster housing" incentive allowing landowners or lessees of important agricultural lands to develop concentrated housing for farmers and farm employees who actively farm the designated lands, with exemptions from subdivision ordinances and priority permit processing.

Farm cluster housing is limited to lots of at least 10 acres, with housing occupying no more than 5% of the lot or 10 acres (whichever is less), and units must be rented only to active farmers or farm employees and their immediate family members.

Repeals section 205-45.5 (previous farm dwelling and employee housing provision) and amends section 205-46.5 to include farm cluster housing in priority permit processing procedures; effective July 1, 2050.