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House panel moves bill to allow farm-cluster housing on Important Agricultural Lands
Summary
HB 1013, an administration-backed measure to permit farm-cluster housing on Important Agricultural Lands, advanced with committee recommendation to pass; testimony was mixed with support for the concept and concerns from small farmers about ownership forms and access to federal farm financing.
The House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems voted to advance HB 1013, which establishes an incentive to allow development of farm-cluster housing on Important Agricultural Lands (IAL).
The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Land Use Commission testified in support; the latter noted a pending Supreme Court appeal about discrepancies between IAL rules and regular agricultural rules and cautioned that statutory changes could be affected by that appeal.
Supporters described farm-cluster housing as a way to create housing for farmers and farm workers on agricultural lands. Daniel Aradanker of the Land Use Commission urged caution because of an ongoing legal challenge about due process and differences in housing rules within the agricultural district.
One public commenter, Peter Savio, expressed concern the bill could favor large, well-capitalized farmers and mainland investors rather than small local operators. Savio urged the committee to include ownership forms that would allow small local farmers to buy or co-own lots (for example condominium or cooperative ownership) and to ensure access to federal farm-loan financing that can enable more affordable purchases.
The committee voted to pass HB 1013 “as is.” Members asked follow-up questions and encouraged dialogue with stakeholders about potential amendments to protect local, small-scale farmers.
The bill will proceed with a committee recommendation to pass; members noted the measure applies statewide and would affect counties that pursue IAL designations.
