SB 1517 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Summary

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease public lands for recreational-residential use by public lottery and restrict participation in the public lottery to residents of the county in which the leased land is located. Lowers the maximum term for a lease of public lands for recreational-residential use to five years. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1517 → SB1517_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Hawaii's public land lease laws to establish a lottery system for leasing cabins on public lands for recreational-residential use. The most significant change is reducing the maximum lease term from 20 years to 5 years, while also adding a provision that leases can be extended for an additional 5 years if the lessee is in good standing. The bill also clarifies that lottery participation can be limited to residents of the county where the land is located, and adds a fee for transferring or assigning leases.

Scope change

The bill modifies the scope of public land leasing by changing the maximum lease duration and adding specific conditions for lease extensions and transfer fees.

REQUIREMENT

Reduced maximum lease term from 20 years to 5 years, with option to extend for an additional 5 years if lessee is in good standing.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provision allowing lottery participation to be limited to county residents where the leased land is located.

FISCAL

Established a $1,200 fee for transferring or assigning recreation-residence use leases, with annual adjustments based on economic indicators.

DEFINITION

Added definition of 'good standing' to mean full compliance with lease obligations.

TIMELINE

Set effective date for the Act as April 23, 2057.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

25–0

Passed

Total votes 25

Mar 4, 2025

D Democratic22

22 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican3

3 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 362) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

upper

Feb 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 9:40AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from WTL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 601) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WTL recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WTL were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Elefante, Chang, McKelvey, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WTL has scheduled a public hearing on 02-10-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to WTL, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors