Hawaii-2025-SB504-Introduced

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that increasing local agricultural production is essential to the long-term sustainability and food security of the State. However, local agricultural producers face significant economic challenges, particularly with the high costs of transporting agricultural products and necessary supplies across the State. In a recent survey report on Hawaii commercial agricultural expansion, thirty-nine per cent of local ranchers and farmers cited shipping and transportation costs as a leading barrier to the expansion of their agricultural production. These transportation costs place undue strain and financial burdens on farmers and ranchers, limiting their ability to compete in local markets and reducing the overall productivity of Hawaii's agricultural sector.

The legislature recognizes that, to successfully scale up local production, the establishment of a cost reimbursement program that offsets the increased transportation costs of agricultural producers is necessary to ensure growth in the agricultural sector. The financial relief provided by a cost reimbursement program would help strengthen local agriculture, encourage greater self-sufficiency, support the State's broader efforts to diversify its economy, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to ensure that certain local agricultural producers, particularly those that manage livestock and produce essential commodities, receive support to offset the high costs of transporting goods to market and to obtain necessary supplies by establishing a local agriculture transportation cost reimbursement program.

SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§141- Local agriculture transportation cost reimbursement program; rules. (a) There is established within the department of agriculture a local agriculture transportation cost reimbursement program to reimburse eligible agricultural producers for a portion of the producer's costs to transport agricultural commodities.

(b) To be eligible to receive reimbursement payments pursuant to this section, an agricultural producer shall:

(1) Be an owner of livestock or a producer of agricultural commodities in the State;

(2) Incur costs for transporting in a covered motor vehicle or through air cargo, parcel, or water cargo carrier services:

(A) Livestock, livestock products, or agricultural commodities to market within the State; or

(B) Supplies for the use of the agricultural producer; and

(3) Provide to the department of agriculture proof that the agricultural producer has annual gross receipts totaling $ or more.

(d) The department may establish rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(e) For purposes of this section:

"Agricultural commodity" has the same meaning as in section 145-21.

"Covered motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle:

(1) Registered and owned by an owner of livestock or a producer of agricultural commodities in the State; and

(2) Used for the transport of livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and supplies within the State."

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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of agriculture to fund and administer the local agriculture transportation cost reimbursement program established pursuant to this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish and fund one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position within the department of agriculture to administer the reimbursement local agriculture transportation cost reimbursement program established pursuant to this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

DOA; Transportation Costs; Shipping Costs; Reimbursements; Position; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Program within the Department of Agriculture to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Makes appropriations.

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.	504
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII