Bill Text: HI SB1374 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 1374 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Land Exchange; Dole Food Company ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 18-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-04-29 - Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-16 5:05pm in conference room 224. [SB1374 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-SB1374-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1374
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 2

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LAND EXCHANGE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that agriculture was the economic mainstay of the central Oahu plains. This industry, specifically sugar cane and pineapple, had a greater stake in how and where communities grew. However, in 1996, the Waialua sugar mill closed, and in 2008, Del Monte fresh produce ended operations. What remains are several thousand acres of agricultural land that are currently in diversified agricultural production on short-term leases or left fallow by owners currently unwilling or unable to lease to farmers. Dole Food Company, Inc., has listed over fifteen thousand acres of these lands, including lands designated as conservation and watershed lands, for sale on Oahu between the area of central Oahu and the north shore. The legislature further finds that current agricultural zoning permits subdivision of agricultural parcels, which makes these properties attractive to parties seeking to develop land for other purposes. As it is the State's responsibility under article XI, section 3, of the Hawaii State Constitution to conserve and protect agricultural lands, promote diversified agriculture, increase agricultural self-sufficiency, and assure the availability of agriculturally suitable lands, the legislature should consider acquiring suitable agricultural land for long-term leases for diversified, bona fide agricultural operations to increase agricultural production. The large tracts of land listed for sale by Dole Food Company, Inc., provide a unique opportunity to fulfill the intent of the Hawaii State Constitution.

The legislature further finds that over the past few years, the State has made it a priority to shift toward sustainability in agriculture and decreasing our food imports. Act 55, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, amends the Hawaii State Planning Act to create a new state policy to promote economically competitive activities that increase Hawaii's agricultural self-sufficiency, including the increased purchase and use of Hawaii-grown food and food products by residents, businesses, and governmental bodies.

Among the possible methods of acquiring these agricultural lands is a land exchange. Land exchanges completed in other states have provided public benefit in conservation, economic growth, ecological, and recreational purposes. Such exchanges have been successful for national parks and conservation areas. For example, in December 2008, the Montana Board of Land Commissioners approved a land exchange to swap five hundred seventy acres of privately owned land with four hundred thirty-five acres of state land in order to increase public access, recreational opportunities, and land conservation on state trust lands near Whitefish, Montana.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Require the department of agriculture to negotiate land exchanges with Dole Food Company, Inc.; and

(2) Require the department of agriculture to submit a report to the legislature of the negotiated land exchanges for final approval.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of agriculture shall negotiate land exchanges with Dole Food Company, Inc., in accordance with chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the purpose of acquiring lands that are suitable for long-term diversified agricultural production.

(b) The department of agriculture shall coordinate with the agribusiness development corporation, the department of land and natural resources, and any other department or agency of the State that holds title to or an assignment of state land that may be appropriate for exchange under subsection (a).

SECTION 3. The department of agriculture shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017 on:

(1) The feasibility of a land exchange of parcels of high interest to the State and a description and the market value of the parcels; and

(2) Any appropriations, proposed legislation, or administrative action necessary to accomplish the goals of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Land Exchange; Dole Food Company

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to negotiate land exchanges with Dole Food Company, Inc. Requires a report to the Legislature. (SB1374 HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.