SB3066

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3066
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL GRANT ADMINISTRATION.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that federal agricultural grants provide financial support to Hawaii's agricultural industry. The department of agriculture and biosecurity actively pursues these federal grants and has recently hired a grant writer, whose efforts have yielded great results. Since November 2024, $8,899,450.16 in federal grant funds have been obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture and another $5,285,000 in grants have applications in process. Many of the federal grants being pursued by the department provide for indirect overhead reimbursements or an allowable management fee to reimburse the State for costs associated with management of certain federal grants. The establishment of a formal agricultural grant program and a revolving fund would allow the department to retain these funds and cover a portion of the program costs. Funds from the revolving fund would be used to search for additional grant opportunities, develop program applications to monitor grant execution, ensure compliance with grant requirements, and to audit grant expenditures. Moneys in the fund will also be used for consultant services and operational expenses.

SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding to part I, two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§141- Agricultural grant program; established. (a) There is established in the department of agriculture and biosecurity an agricultural grant program to search, apply, and administer federal agricultural grant opportunties that could benefit the Hawaii agricultural industry.

(b) The department of agriculture and biosecurity may retain and expend federal indirect overhead reimbursements for grants as determined by the chairperson of the board of agriculture and biosecurity.

§141- Agricultural grant revolving fund. (a) There is established in the state treasury an agricultural grant revolving fund into which shall be deposited the department of agriculture and biosecurity's share of federal indirect overhead reimbursements, pursuant to section 141- . The department of agriculture and biosecurity may expend funds in the agricultural grant revolving fund to search for discretionary grants, develop program applications to secure additional revenues for the department of agriculture and biosecurity, monitor grant execution, ensure compliance with grant requirements, and audit grant expenditures. Moneys in the revolving fund may be expended for consultant services and operational expenses, including the hiring of temporary staff.

(b) The department of agriculture and biosecurity shall prepare and submit an annual report on the status of federal agricultural grants revolving fund to the legislature. The annual report shall include but not be limited to a list of the grant applications to federal agencies and the grant awards received."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

BY REQUEST

Report Title:

DAB; Agricultural Grant Program; Revolving Fund; Annual Report

Description:

Creates an agricultural grant program and revolving fund for the purposes of grant application, execution, reporting and auditing to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Effective July 1, 2026.

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

SB 3066

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