Hawaii House Bill 491

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: Introduced on January 21 2025 - 25% progression
Action: 2025-02-06 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Ward excused (1).
Pending: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Amended) [HTML]

Prohibits the State from leasing any public lands, or extending the lease of any public lands, to any individual, corporation, or federal agency that is in arrears in the payment of certain moneys to the State, is noncompliant with a consent decree or memoranda of agreement with the State that requires environmental maintenance or remediation with regard to the subject public lands, or has been found to be in violation of federal or state laws aimed at protecting the environment. Requires certification by the Office of the Governor before the issuance or extension of any federal lease that the individual, corporation, or federal agency is in good standing with the State. Provides that, if any existing lessee of public lands is found not to be in good standing with the State as of the effective date of this Act, the lessee shall have three years, or until the end of the lease term, whichever is sooner, to correct the violation or the lease shall be terminated. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Relating To Land Leases.

Rep. Kim Iwamoto [D]

Rep. Amy Perruso [D]

Date	Chamber	Action
2025-02-06	House	Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Ward excused (1).
2025-02-06	House	Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 195) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2025-02-04	House	The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Lamosao, Belatti, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Morikawa, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-01-30	House	Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Tuesday, 02-04-25 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-21	House	Referred to WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21	House	Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17	House	Pending introduction.

SB427 (Same As) 2025-02-05 - The committee on WTL deferred the measure.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=491&year=2025
Text	https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB491_.HTM
Text	https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB491_HD1_.HTM
Supplement	https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/Testimony/HB491_TESTIMONY_WAL_02-04-25_.PDF
Supplement	https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/CommReports/HB491_HD1_HSCR195_.pdf