Committee backs agriculture‑tourism bill with revenue presumption amendment to protect farming

The committee advanced HB 2585 HD1, a bill addressing agricultural tourism, after extended discussion on how to ensure agriculture remains the primary use on agricultural district lands.

Brian Miyamoto of the Hawaii Farm Bureau said the intent is to keep farming production primary while allowing limited ag‑tourism accessory activities such as farm tours and farm‑based cafes. Department of Agriculture representative Early Yamamoto said the department lacks regulatory authority over county zoning decisions but supports guardrails to protect productive agricultural land.

Representative questioning focused on how the statute will distinguish bona fide ag tourism from tourism that supplants farming. One member proposed — and the chair accepted — a rebuttable presumption that agricultural activity remains primary when annual revenue from agricultural production exceeds revenue from non‑agricultural operations; if not, an operator could present evidence to the contrary. The committee accepted technical amendments and sent the bill forward with that amendment recorded for the next committee.

Members also discussed county enforcement and the land use commission’s role if agricultural activity ceases; the bill keeps primary enforcement with counties while noting reporting and implementation items in the committee report.