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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2423 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to agriculture.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
"§141- Healthy soils program; established. (a) The department of agriculture shall establish a healthy soils program. The healthy soils program 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) 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. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:
(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and
(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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 2024-2025 for the establishment of the healthy soils program and to issues awards and other financial incentives 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, 2024.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Department of Agriculture; Healthy Soils Program; Carbon Sequestration; Report; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Makes an appropriation.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.