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SR 97

URGING THE COUNTIES TO ADOPT LOCAL ZONING ORDINANCES TO REQUIRE OWNERS OF AGRICULTURAL-ZONED LANDS TO EXECUTE AND RECORD DECLARATIONS THAT ACKNOWLEDGE STATE AND COUNTY AGRICULTURAL LAND USE REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS AND PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 2 co-sponsors

Hawaii urges counties to require agricultural landowners record declarations acknowledging state regulations and penalties to strengthen land use compliance and preservation.

Re-Referred to WTL.
#agriculturallands #counties #declarationofcompliance #regulations
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Bill Summary · SR 97

Legislative bill overview

SR 97 urges Hawaii counties to adopt local zoning ordinances requiring agricultural landowners to execute and record declarations acknowledging state and county agricultural regulations, requirements, and penalties for noncompliance. The bill does not mandate action but rather requests that counties implement this disclosure mechanism through their zoning codes. This would create a formal, recorded acknowledgment that landowners understand the legal restrictions and consequences tied to their agricultural-zoned properties.

Why is this important

Agricultural land in Hawaii faces ongoing pressures from development, conversion, and regulatory non-compliance. By requiring recorded declarations, the bill aims to reduce disputes over land use restrictions by ensuring owners have documented knowledge of their obligations and potential penalties. This could strengthen enforcement of agricultural preservation policies and reduce liability claims from landowners who claim ignorance of regulations.

Potential points of contention

  • Property rights concerns: Agricultural landowners may view mandatory declarations as burdensome paperwork or an unnecessary formalization that limits flexibility in how they use their land
  • Enforcement burden: Counties must develop and administer the ordinance, and questions arise about whether recorded declarations alone improve compliance or simply create administrative overhead
  • Retroactive application: Unclear whether existing landowners must execute declarations, potentially creating compliance disputes over when the requirement takes effect

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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