THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

163

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the governor to analyze the feasibility of negotiating land exchanges to acquire lands for the State that are suitable for long-term diversified agricultural production in exchange for state lands to be developed for affordable, workforce, and other housing.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's agricultural production is insufficient to meet the State's needs, leaving the State reliant on imported food; and

 

     WHEREAS, this overreliance on imported food raises critical concerns about the State's safety, security, and sustainability; and

 

     WHEREAS, Act 55, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, codified the State's commitment to promoting the growth and development of diversified agriculture and to promoting economically competitive activities that expand the State's agricultural self-sufficiency and local food production; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State also faces a critical shortage of safe and sanitary housing for Hawaii residents, including affordable and workforce housing; and

 

     WHEREAS, the lack of suitable lands available for the development of affordable housing is a major contributing factor to the State's housing crisis; and

 

     WHEREAS, the possibility exists to address both the challenges of achieving agricultural self-sufficiency and the lack of affordable housing by exchanging state lands suitable for housing development for privately-owned agricultural land suitable for farming; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Governor is requested to analyze the feasibility of negotiating land exchanges to acquire lands for the State that are suitable for long-term diversified agricultural production in exchange for state lands to be developed for affordable, workforce, and other housing; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is encouraged to consider departments and agencies that hold title to or an assignment of state land that may be suitable for exchange; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor's analysis is urged to focus on exchanges that could simultaneously address the State's agricultural and housing needs by:

 

     (1)  Providing to the State large tracts of suitable agricultural lands that may be leased to local farmers; and

 

     (2)  Providing to private parties urban lands suitable for the development of affordable housing, workforce housing, and other housing inventory for Hawaii residents and mixed-use commercial and accessory uses within areas designated for transit-oriented development and other appropriate urbanized areas; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2022 to include:

 

     (1)  A discussion of the feasibility and advisability of negotiating land exchanges;

 

     (2)  A list of lands potentially suitable for exchange, including a description and the market value of each parcel; and

 

     (3)  Recommendations regarding any appropriations, proposed legislation, or administrative actions necessary to facilitate the land exchanges; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, and Director of the Office of Planning.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Governor; Land Exchanges; Diversified Agriculture