HB 968: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§141-     Healthy soils program; established.  (a)  The department of agriculture shall establish a healthy soils program.  The department of agriculture may consult with or contract a third party for any needed expertise to perform its duties pursuant to this section.  The healthy soils program shall:

     (1)  Create a statewide soil health assessment with a list of practices specific to the State that are most effective in improving soil health and building soil carbon stocks;

     (2)  Provide farmers with education and technical assistance to implement farm management practices that contribute to healthy soils;

     (3)  Establish standards that apply to the healthy soils program and are based on the findings of the greenhouse gas sequestration task force established pursuant to section 225P-4 relating to minimum levels of soil carbon and water content and required soil health practices; and

     (4)  Subject to available funding, issue awards and other financial incentives to implement farm management practices that contribute to healthy soils.

     (b)  The long-term goals of the healthy soils program shall be to establish:

     (1)  Deadlines by which all awards issued by the department of agriculture shall meet the standards established pursuant to subsection (a)(3);

     (2)  Deadlines by which a plan for all state lands leased for agricultural use shall be required; and

     (3)  Programs incentivizing small farmers, ranchers, and landowners to take carbon negative actions on their respective lands.

     (c)  The department of agriculture shall submit a report detailing the status and progress of the healthy soils program and its recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of the healthy soils program and to issue awards and other financial incentives pursuant to the program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DOA; Healthy Soils Program; Carbon Sequestration; Reports; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program.  Requires an annual report to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§141-    Healthy soils program; established.  (a)  The department of agriculture shall establish a healthy soils program.  The department of agriculture may consult with or contract a third party for any needed expertise to perform its duties pursuant to this section.  The healthy soils program shall:

     (1)  Create a statewide soil health assessment with a list of practices specific to the State that are most effective in improving soil health and building soil carbon stocks;

     (2)  Provide farmers with education and technical assistance to implement farm management practices that contribute to healthy soils;

     (3)  Establish standards that apply to the healthy soils program and are based on the findings of the greenhouse gas sequestration task force established pursuant to section 225P-4 relating to minimum levels of soil carbon and water content and required soil health practices; and

     (4)  Subject to available funding, issue awards and other financial incentives to implement farm management practices that contribute to healthy soils.

     (b)  The long-term goals of the healthy soils program shall be to establish:

     (1)  Deadlines by which all awards issued by the department of agriculture shall meet the standards established pursuant to subsection (a)(3);

     (2)  Deadlines by which a plan for all state lands leased for agricultural use shall be required; and

     (3)  Programs incentivizing small farmers, ranchers, and landowners to take carbon negative actions on their respective lands.

     (c)  The department of agriculture shall submit a report detailing the status and progress of the healthy soils program and its recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of the healthy soils program and to issue awards and other financial incentives pursuant to the program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DOA; Healthy Soils Program; Carbon Sequestration; Reports; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program.  Requires an annual report to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  389

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 968

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 968 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Hawai‘i Farmers Union; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; 350Hawaii.org; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Citizens' Climate Lobby Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's agricultural sustainability and environmental resilience depend on healthy soils.  Your Committee further finds that investing in healthy soils is a critical step toward ensuring Hawaii's farms remain productive for future generations while strengthening the local economy and food security.  This measure establishes a Healthy Soils Program within the Department of Agriculture to assess and improve soil conditions statewide while providing education and technical assistance to farmers.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $500,000.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 968, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 968, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,