SB2675

PART I

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that food insecurity remains a significant challenge for many individuals and families throughout the State. Food insecurity impacts approximately one in six Hawaii residents, including nearly one in four children. In 2022, more than eighty-two thousand children were projected to struggle with hunger, and Hawaii had the second highest projected rate of child food insecurity in the nation.

The legislature also finds that the State has committed to increasing the amount of locally grown food to help improve food security and self-sufficiency. The legislature further finds that there are many acres of suitable farmland currently being used solely for renewable energy projects that could simultaneously help support both the State's renewable energy and food security goals.

Accordingly, the purpose of this part is to increase food security throughout the State by requiring the Hawaii state energy office, in collaboration with the department of agriculture and department of land and natural resources, to facilitate the private sector's development of renewable energy projects that also support agricultural food production.

SECTION 2. Chapter 196, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§196- State support for achieving local renewable energy development and food security. In collaboration with the department of agriculture and department of land and natural resources, the Hawaii state energy office shall facilitate the private sector's development of renewable energy projects that also support agricultural food production by:

(1) Identifying and publishing a list of lands hosting renewable energy projects that also have the potential to concurrently support local agricultural food production;

(2) Developing a program to maximize the agricultural use of lands hosting renewable energy projects; and

(3) Working with federal agencies to obtain research, funding, and technical assistance to help the State achieve its local renewable energy and food security goals."

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 2024-2025 for the Hawaii state energy office to facilitate the private sector's development of renewable energy projects that also support agricultural food production and to establish one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position within the Hawaii state energy office to serve as an interagency liaison for the purposes of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.

PART II

SECTION 4. The legislature finds that certain corporate farming practices in the early twentieth century resulted in the contamination of soils and groundwater, adversely affecting land use and human health. Notwithstanding, scientific studies have shown that phytoremediation--a process of using non-food crops to alter and remove contaminants--can help return contaminated lands back to productive agricultural use. In addition, non-food crops used for phytoremediation can be used for biofuel production until the land is suitable again for agriculture, providing a separate benefit that also furthers the State's renewable energy goals.

Accordingly, the purpose of this part is to establish a phytoremediation biofuels pilot program to determine whether phytoremediation can be implemented as part of a long-term strategy to support the State's local renewable energy and food security goals.

SECTION 5. (a) There is established within the Hawaii state energy office a three-year phytoremediation biofuels pilot program. The Hawaii state energy office shall collaborate with the department of agriculture and department of land and natural resources to create a pilot program that shall:

(1) Identify suitable phytoremediation crops that can be used as biofuel feedstocks;

(2) Identify contaminated agricultural lands that are suitable for phytoremediation; and

(3) Implement the planting of one or more of the identified crops in selected contaminated agricultural land areas for the purpose of phytoremediation.

(b) The Hawaii state energy office shall submit to the governor and legislature a report no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027. The report shall describe the overall effectiveness of the pilot program and shall include a cost-benefit analysis and recommendation as to the feasibility of pursuing phytoremediation as part of a long-term strategy to support the State's local renewable energy and food security goals.

SECTION 6. 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 2024-2025 to establish and fund the phytoremediation biofuels pilot program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.

PART III

SECTION 7. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ , or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that the appropriations made in this Act are necessary to serve the public interest and to meet the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 8. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 9. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

HSEO; DOA; DLNR; Renewable Energy Development and Food Security; Phytoremediation Biofuels Pilot Program; Report to Legislature; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriations

Description:

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Department of Land and Natural Resources, to facilitate the private sector's development of renewable energy projects that also support agricultural food production. Establishes within the Hawaii State Energy Office a three-year Phytoremediation Biofuels Pilot Program to be conducted by the Hawaii State Energy Office in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Department of Land and Natural Resources and requires a report to the Governor and Legislature. Makes appropriations and establishes a position within the Hawaii State Energy office to serve as an interagency liaison.

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

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2675
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII