SB 552: DOA; Healthy Soils Program; Carbon Sequestration; Reports; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the land study bureau soil rating system has not been updated since its creation in the 1960s and 1970s, leading to outdated assessments of land quality and productivity.  Act 189, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, highlighted the need for regular updates to soil data to ensure that agricultural land classification reflects current soil science and supports Hawaii's food security and sustainability goals.  Without updated and accurate soil information, the State cannot effectively assess agricultural land suitability or prioritize investments in agricultural sustainability.

     The legislature further finds that accurate and up-to-date soil data, including soil characteristics, properties, and limitations, is essential for identifying risks and assessing soil suitability for various agricultural uses.  Reliable soil assessments can help optimize public and private investments in agriculture, ensuring that farmers, landowners, and policymakers make informed decisions that align with the State's long-term sustainability objectives.  However, the lack of a standardized system for regularly updating soil information has undermined the credibility of agricultural land assessments and limited the effectiveness of state-level planning and conservation efforts.

     The legislature finds that healthy soils are vital for sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food security in Hawaii.  Soil health directly affects crop productivity, water retention, erosion control, and carbon sequestration, all of which are essential to reducing agricultural vulnerability and enhancing environmental sustainability.

     The legislature further finds that investing in soil health aligns with Hawaii's goal of achieving net-negative carbon emissions by 2045 and promotes climate-smart agricultural practices that benefit farmers and the broader community.  Healthy soils improve nutrient cycling, reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers, enhance microbial biodiversity, and increase resilience to extreme weather events.

     The legislature also recognizes that existing soil health initiatives, such as the compost reimbursement program and the cover crop pilot program, have demonstrated strong demand and effectiveness in promoting soil restoration and conservation.  However, these programs currently operate independently, and a coordinated, long-term strategy is necessary to maximize impact and ensure program efficiency.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a healthy soils program within the department of agriculture to:

     (1)  Integrate and manage existing programs, including the compost reimbursement program and cover crop reimbursement pilot program, under a unified healthy soils program framework;

     (2)  Provide education and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and landowners to support the adoption of healthy soil practices;

     (3)  Administer financial incentives and awards to encourage the implementation of regenerative agricultural practices that build soil carbon stocks and improve soil structure; and

     (4)  Update and refine soil data used in the land study bureau soil rating system by incorporating the latest United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service soil data and other relevant soil classification systems.

     SECTION 2.  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 to support and promote farm management practices that improve soil health, increase soil carbon sequestration, and enhance agricultural sustainability.  The department of agriculture may consult with or contract a third party for any needed expertise to perform its duties pursuant to this section.

     (b)  The healthy soils program shall:

     (1)  Include and administer the compost reimbursement program established pursuant to section 141-16 and cover crop reimbursement pilot program established pursuant to Act 312, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022; provided that the department ensures that these programs align with the objectives and standards of the healthy soils program to maximize benefits to farmers and enhance statewide soil health;

     (2)  Subject to available funding, provide:

          (A)  Technical assistance and education to farmers, ranchers, and landowners to support the adoption of best soil health practices;

          (B)  Financial incentives and awards to encourage the implementation of regenerative agricultural practices that improve soil carbon storage, water retention, and nutrient cycling; and

          (C)  Soil health assessments and data collection to guide statewide policy decisions and program adjustments;

     (3)  Update and refine the soil data used in the land study bureau soil rating system by considering:

          (A)  The latest United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service soil data; and

          (B)  Soil classification systems currently used in the State, including methodologies assessing soil carbon storage, water retention, and nutrient cycling;

     (4)  Develop a standardized process for the regular integration of updated soil data, ensuring soil ratings reflect current conditions and advances in soil science; and

     (5)  Create high-resolution digital soil maps that:

          (A)  Accurately depict soil properties, risks, and suitability for different agricultural uses;

          (B)  Serve as a decision-making tool for farmers, policymakers, and investors; and

          (C)  Integrate real-time monitoring capabilities, allowing for adjustments as soil conditions evolve.

     (d)  A public review process shall be established by the department to evaluate and refine updated soil data and draft soil maps.

     (e)  The department may collaborate with the following agencies for the purposes of the healthy soils program:

     (1)  The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service;

     (2)  The department of land and natural resources;

     (3)  The land use commission;

     (4)  The agribusiness development corporation;

     (5)  The office of planning and sustainable development;

     (6)  The university of Hawaii's college of tropical agriculture and human resilience; and

     (7)  The county planning agencies.

     (f)  The department of agriculture shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session.  The report shall include updates on soil data integration detailing the following:

     (1)  Progress on soil data updates;

     (2)  Mapping improvements and refinements; and

     (3)  Recommendations for legislative or regulatory changes needed to align soil classification with updated scientific data."

     SECTION 3.  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 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  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 $           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, 2050.

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.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

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.  1177

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.B. No. 552

      S.D. 1

      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 S.B. No. 552, S.D. 1, 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 Reef and Ocean Coalition; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; Citizens' Climate Lobby Hawaiʻi; 350Hawaii.org; Carbon Cashback Hawaii; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Farmers Union; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Kanalani Ohana Farm; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Haleakala Chapter of the Hawaii Farmers Union; Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Eden Farms Hawaii, Inc.; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that maintaining healthy soils is essential for Hawaii's agricultural sustainability and resilience.  Investing in soil health supports farm productivity, strengthens the local economy, and enhances food security.  This measure creates a Healthy Soils Program within the Department of Agriculture to evaluate and improve soil conditions while offering farmers education and technical support.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting a preamble;

     (2)  Clarifying the scope and duties of the Healthy Soils Program to include:

          (A)  The integration and management of the Compost Reimbursement Program and Cover Crop Reimbursement Pilot Program;

          (B)  Education and technical assistance to support the adoption of healthy soil practices;

          (C)  The administration of financial incentives and awards to encourage the implementation of regenerative agricultural practices;

          (D)  Updated soil data and mapping initiatives, including a review process;

          (E)  Agencies that the Department of Agriculture may collaborate with for the purposes of the Program; and

          (F)  Certain reporting requirements;

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

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments 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 more than the original appropriation request of $500,000 due to the federal administration's recent deprioritization of climate smart practices, which target improved soil health.

     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 S.B. No. 552, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 552, S.D. 1, 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,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 683

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 552

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 552, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Agriculture to establish a healthy soils program and submit an annual report to the Legislature.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Citizen's Climate Lobby, Green Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and Climate Protectors Hawaii, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Purple Mai`a, WOCAN, 350 Hawaii, and numerous individuals.

     Your Committee finds that healthy soils are essential for meeting the State's local food production needs and goals.  As the State faces increasing threats from invasive pests and extreme climate events, a healthy soils program can help ensure food security and resilience.  Your Committee further finds that this measure will provide necessary support for the Department of Agriculture to establish a healthy soils program and improve soil health across the State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 552, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 17

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 552

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 552 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program; and

     (2)  Appropriate $500,000 for the establishment of the Program and to issue awards and other financial incentives pursuant to the Program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management; Climate Protectors Hawaii; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Citizens' Climate Lobby Hawaiʻi; Kanalani Ohana Farm; and thirty-five individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

     Your Committee finds that healthy soils are critical for the State to meet its local food production needs and, in the face of invasive pests and increasingly extreme climate events, a healthy soils program is necessary to ensure food security.  This measure will provide necessary support to improve soil health and build soil carbon stocks in the State to increase resiliency.

     Your Committee notes the concerns raised by the Department of Agriculture that this measure, in its current form, lacks guidance on the public and private collaboration necessary to establish the preferred farm management practice standards required and that the Department lacks the expertise and resources to establish and operate a responsible, transparent, and effective statewide science-based soil management and education program.  Additionally, the objectives of the program may be duplicative.  The Green House Gas Sequestration Task Force, established pursuant to section 225P-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is charged with, among other things, building healthy soils, sequestering carbon, increasing water-holding capacity, and increasing crop yields.  Your Committee finds that these issues merit further consideration as this measure continues through the legislative process.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

     Your Committee notes that this measure, as amended, contains an unspecified appropriation amount.  Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $500,000.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 552, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 552, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,