SB1562 Summary

• Establishes the Combined Housing Operational Agriculture Mobilization (CHOAM) Program administered by the Department of Agriculture to provide affordable agricultural land and farm housing to bona fide farmers through long-term renewable ground leases of up to 99 years.

• Program shall acquire and manage agricultural lands for eligible participants, promote sustainable farming practices, support agricultural infrastructure development, and facilitate public-private partnerships to expand resources.

• Implements affordability protections including renewable long-term ground leases, resale price formulas set by the department, conservation easements on program lands, and subsidized lease rates for low- to moderate-income participants.

• Creates an 11-member advisory committee including representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, county planning departments, community land trusts, farmer organizations, and environmental groups.

• Establishes a tax credit for taxpayers donating agricultural land to the CHOAM Program (applicable to tax years beginning January 1, 2026) and appropriates funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027; program implementation shall commence by January 1, 2026.