Bill
GM 1287
Requires an integrated, data-driven study to guide land use in agricultural districts, balancing climate, housing targets, and protection of productive farmland.
Status: Enacted as Act 187 (signed June 6, 2025)
Purpose and intent
- To require the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (OPSSD) to conduct an Integrated Land Use Study focused on agricultural districts.
- The study is designed to consolidate climate, sustainability, and housing targets into planning guidance for the use of agricultural lands, addressing recent public concerns about the siting of affordable housing and renewable energy projects on agricultural land.
- Builds on Hawaii’s broader climate and sustainability targets and the OPSSD’s role as the state’s central coordinating agency for climate-adaptive land use policy.
Key provisions
1) Scope and objectives (Section 2)
- Target: Agricultural districts as classified under Hawaii Revised Statutes §205-2.
- Primary aims:
- Develop data-based land use information to guide planning and decision-making for competing uses within agricultural districts.
- Assess land use feasibility and needs to meet the state’s climate, sustainability, and housing statutory targets.
- Required integrations:
- Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan (HRS §226-65)
- State land use review of districts
- Hawaii Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report (HRS §225P-3)
- State climate, sustainability, and housing targets (as needed)
- Additional considerations:
- Hawaii state plan update (Phase One) and soil classification study under Act 189 (2022)
- Outputs:
- Recommendations for each county
- Data-driven estimates of land needed for competing uses within agricultural districts
- Protection measures to prevent encroachment on productive agricultural lands
- Direct input from the agricultural community
- County and community outreach and input
- Post-data compilation analysis of county-by-county acreage and potential impacts
2) Methodology and engagement (Section 2, subsection f)
- Data sources: Compile data from multiple agencies (Department of Agriculture; DOT; DLNR; DBEDT; Hawaii Public Utilities Commission; Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation; utilities; counties) with input from UH, utilities, agricultural groups, farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders.
- Engagement: Ensure agricultural community input and broad county/community acceptance.
3) Reporting timeline (Section 3)
- Interim report due no later than 20 days before the 2026 regular legislative session.
- Final report due no later than 20 days before the 2027 regular legislative session.
- Final report also to the Land Use Commission.
4) Appropriation and personnel (Section 4)
- General fund appropriation: $400,000 for FY 2025–2026 and $400,000 for FY 2026–2027.
- Personnel: Establishment of one full-time equivalent planner (exempt from Chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes) plus funds for computers, office supplies, travel, and related expenses to conduct the study.
- Expenditure authority: OPSSD.
5) Effective date (Section 5)
- Takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impacted entities and potential effects
- Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (lead agency)
- Hawaii counties and local planning departments
- Agricultural community (direct input and considerations)
- Departments and entities contributing data (e.g., Department of Agriculture, DLNR, DOT, energy office, housing agency, PUC, UH, utilities)
- Potential long-term impact on land use decisions in agricultural districts, balancing land preservation with climate/housing objectives
Implementation notes
- The act formalizes a data-driven, integrated approach to land use in agricultural lands, aligning with existing and planned statewide sustainability objectives.
- It prioritizes protecting productive agricultural land while incorporating input from farmers and counties.
Effective date and status
- Enacted as ACT 187, effective July 1, 2025.
- Bill HB778 (CD1, HD2, SD1) passed both chambers in April 2025 and received executive signature on June 6, 2025.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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