Committees pass farm retail bill

Several state Senate committees passed a bill Thursday intended to expand retail operations on Hawaii farms.

The bill would allow farms to host agriculture-based commercial operations as defined by state law without further restrictions from the state Land Use Commission or counties.

The original bill created concern it would prevent counties from further regulating agriculture.

The committees on Agriculture, Water and Land, and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs amended the bill to specifically address retail operations.