SB2110

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State's agricultural sector faces increasing challenges from climate change, soil degradation, and the need for enhanced food security and economic resilience. The legislature further finds that the department of agriculture and biosecurity has expressed concern regarding its capacity to administer conservation agriculture and soil health incentive programs due to limitations in technical expertise and staffing. The legislature also finds that the climate change mitigation and adaptation commission possesses land management expertise, conservation planning capacity, and stewardship responsibilities that align with the administration of agricultural conservation and soil health programs. The legislature additionally finds consolidating existing conservation programs under the climate change mitigation and adaptation commission will eliminate structural barriers that prevent small and socially disadvantaged farmers from accessing conservation incentives, improve administrative efficiency and coordination of statewide agricultural conservation efforts.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the conservation agriculture and soil health incentive program under the climate change mitigation and adaptation commission.

SECTION 2. Chapter 225P, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§225P- Conservation agriculture and soil health incentive program; established; requirements; annual report. (a) There is established within the commission a conservation agriculture and soil health incentive program to provide financial assistance and incentives, technical assistance, and education that supports the adoption of science-based conservation practices that improve soil health, water retention, and climate resilience; increase the content of organic matter in soil and carbon sequestration; reduce erosion, nutrient runoff, and reliance on external inputs, including synthetic fertilizers, imported feed, fossil fuels, and globally-sourced raw materials; and support local food production and economic viability. The program shall support:

(1) Equitable access for small and socially disadvantaged farmers;

(2) First-time adopters of a one-time establishment practice or annual management practice;

(3) Systemic agroecological transitions rather than input substitution;

(4) Long-term maintenance and knowledge transfer of farming practices that promote agricultural conservation and soil health;

(5) Projects that incorporate traditional Native Hawaiian ecological knowledge and ecocultural restoration; and

(6) Projects that generate co-benefits including jobs, food security, water security, biodiversity gains, and invasive species management.

(b) In administering the program, the commission shall:

(1) Subject to available funding, issue awards and other financial incentives to promote the adoption, application, and maintenance of a one-time establishment practice and annual management practice that advances conservation agriculture; provided that the commission shall award not more than $ to an applicant; provided further that the commission:

(A) Shall require an applicant to adopt and maintain a one-time establishment practice or annual management practice for at least one year;

(B) May award enhanced assistance to first-time adopters of a one-time establishment practice or annual management practice; and

(2) Subject to available funding, contract a public, nonprofit, or private partner to provide technical assistance to a program participant; provided that the commission shall give priority to a partner who is experienced in the State's farming conditions; provided further that pre-application technical assistance shall be available to a farmer at no cost;

(3) Upon the request of an applicant, furnish an application in the applicant's primary language;

(4) Develop and maintain a database to track eligible agricultural conservation practices, practitioners, acres, and outcomes;

(5) Coordinate with the university of Hawaii and relevant federal agencies to evaluate program outcomes; and

(6) Beginning January 1, 2028, review and update program procedures every three years.

(c) The commission shall prioritize financial and technical assistance for agricultural projects of not more than fifty acres for beginning farmers, Native Hawaiian farmers, and socially disadvantaged farmers.

(d) The commission shall submit an annual report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session. The annual report shall include equity and practice persistence metrics.

(e) The commission shall submit a comprehensive program evaluation to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2028 and every three years thereafter. The comprehensive program evaluation shall include:

(1) Information detailing participation by farm type, size, and demographics;

(2) Information detailing the adoption and maintenance rate of any one-time establishment practice or annual management practice;

(3) Economic and environmental outcomes;

(4) Recommendations for program improvement; and

(5) A comparison of the program to similar programs in other states.

(f) The commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for the purposes of this section.

(g) For the purposes of this section:

"Annual management practice" means cover cropping; crop rotation and diversification; organic matter amendments, including compost, biochar, and local inputs; rotational grazing systems, efficient nutrient and water management; integrated pest management; conservation tillage; and traditional Native Hawaiian agricultural practices, including loi kalo restoration.

"One-time establishment practice" means reforestation and agroforestry systems, including windbreaks, living barriers, silviculture, and silvopasture; traditional Native Hawaiian farming restoration; invasive species control and ecosystem restoration; organic waste management and composting infrastructure; water conservation systems; and soil and water conservation structures.

"Program" means the conservation agriculture and soil health incentive program."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the climate change mitigation and adaptation commission to establish the conservation agriculture and soil health incentive program.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the climate change mitigation and adaptation commission for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2110
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII