Bill Text: HI SB2989 | 2022 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Agriculture.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2022-06-27 - Notice of intent to veto (Gov. Msg. No. 1216) [SB2989 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-SB2989-Amended.html
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2989 |
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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C.D. 1 |
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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. 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. 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 2022-2023 for the establishment of the healthy soils program and to issue 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 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.
Report Title:
DOA; Healthy Soils; Healthy Soils Program; Carbon Sequestration; Appropriations
Description:
Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.