Councilmember Guzman proposes streamlining agricultural regulations

For Immediate Release:  March 7, 2014

Press Release by:
Councilmember Don S. Guzman, Chair
Economic Development, Energy, Agriculture, and Recreation Committee

Councilmember Guzman proposes streamlining agricultural regulations

WAILUKU, Hawaii – Councilmember Don S. Guzman has introduced a resolution urging the administration to adopt a unified definition of “agriculture” and a single process to verify a property’s agricultural use, he announced today.

The resolution is listed on the agenda for the Maui County Council meeting of Tuesday, March 11.

Currently, the definition of “agriculture” is inconsistent depending upon the area of responsibility and jurisdiction of the administering department, creating confusion and unnecessary complexity for Maui County’s agriculture industry, Guzman said. Additionally, the process used to verify a property’s agricultural use often involves redundant applications and conflicting directives, he said.

“Agricultural workers shouldn’t have to sacrifice their time and resources trying to figure out which set of regulations to abide by,” Guzman said. “Smarter government requires greater simplicity and efficiency in its rules.”

The agenda for the meeting is available at www.mauicounty.gov/councilmeetings.

Testimony on the resolution should be submitted to county.clerk@mauicounty.us and should reference County Communication 14-60.

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