Hawaii Senate Bill SR115

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Transfer Fee Simple Title Ownership Of Parcels Of Land To The Department Of Agriculture And Biosecurity Pursuant To Act 90, Session Laws Of Hawaii 2003.

Summary

Senate Resolution 115 requests that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) transfer fee simple title ownership of two specified parcels of public land to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) under the authority of Act 90, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003. The resolution cites the Hawaii Constitution’s policy that public lands should support farm and homeownership and references chapter 166E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which was enacted to promote the long-term productive agricultural use of public lands by allowing certain lands to be transferred from DLNR to DAB. The resolution specifically identifies two tax map keys, (3) 4-1-6:7 and (3) 2-6-18:1, and asks that certified copies be sent to the chairs of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. As a resolution, SR115 does not itself amend statutes or create new legal requirements; instead, it expresses the Senate’s request and policy direction for the agencies to carry out a land transfer already contemplated by existing law.

Impact

SR115 would not directly change Hawaii Revised Statutes, but it would encourage implementation of existing land-transfer authority under Act 90 (2003) and chapter 166E, HRS. If acted upon by the relevant agencies and boards, the practical effect would be to move fee simple ownership of the identified parcels from DLNR to DAB, shifting management and control of those lands toward agricultural use and away from DLNR’s general public land administration.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee discussion or votes, the resolution appears to be straightforward and supportive of agricultural land use policy. The tone is affirmative and administrative, emphasizing constitutional and statutory goals for productive use of public lands rather than controversy or opposition. No formal sentiment data is available from hearings or roll calls in the provided materials.

Contention

The main policy issue underlying the resolution is the transfer of public land ownership and control between state departments, which can raise questions about land management authority, agricultural prioritization, and the appropriate use of state lands. However, no specific opposition, amendments, or disputed points are shown in the provided record. The resolution frames the transfer as consistent with existing law and constitutional policy, suggesting limited visible contention in the available materials.