THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2989

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

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; special fund; established.  (a)  The department of agriculture shall establish a healthy soils program, which shall:

     (1)  Create a statewide soil health assessment with a list of practices specific to the State and 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)  By         , establish standards that shall apply to the healthy soils program and be 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 pursuant to the healthy soils program; and

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

     (c)  There is established a healthy soils program special fund to be administered by the department of agriculture and into which shall be deposited moneys appropriated by the legislature.  The special fund shall be used to implement and operate the healthy soils program and issue awards.

     (d)  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 fund the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to be deposited into the healthy soils program special fund.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the healthy soils program special fund the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the establishment of the healthy soils program and to issue awards pursuant to the program.

     The sum 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, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

DOA; Healthy Soils; Healthy Soils Program; Special Fund; Carbon Sequestration; Appropriations

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program.  Establishes a Healthy Soils Program Special Fund.  Appropriates moneys.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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