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LIHUE, Kauai — Large agriculture companies and landowners on Kauai could pay higher property taxes under a bill before the county council that would create a new tax class for crop research lands.
The Garden Island reported Thursday Councilman Tim Bynum introduced the legislation.
He said the current law was never meant for large agriculture. He says the companies “should never have been eligible” for the tax incentives they are currently receiving.
The Hawaii Crop Improvement Association says the proposal singles out a subset of local agriculture.
The trade group representing Hawaii’s agricultural seed industry says it would send a negative signal to any industry relying on innovation to create jobs and contribute to the local economy.