Bill Text: HI SB517 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Agriculture.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-21 - Referred to AEN/HRE, WAM. [SB517 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2025-SB517-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
517 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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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:
To prevent soil degradation, algae-based fertilizers have been proven to protect soil while replenishing key nutrients needed for agricultural activities. Microbial algae-based fertilizers are rich in organic compounds, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and trace elements that improve soil aeration, increase water retention, suppress harmful pathogens, and boost overall agricultural fertility. Emerging research has demonstrated that specific types of microalgae and seaweeds offer promising solutions to improve soil health as a stimulant for nutrient cycling. Additionally, microbial algae products do not contain synthetic chemicals, which can harm both natural physical environments and critical water resources. The incorporation of microbial algae-based fertilizers is a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the State's agricultural industry.
The legislature recognizes that the agricultural industry remains a critical state priority. As the State seeks to increase its food resiliency and self-sufficiency while promoting local produce and agricultural products, ensuring the overall health of soil is imperative to achieve this goal. Further, as the agricultural industry continues to innovate methods suited for the State's unique natural environment, recent developments, including microbial algae soil products, can provide low-risk opportunities to test new practices. By testing alternative agricultural methods in farms statewide, the agricultural industry can continue to grow while ensuring the safety of local produce and products for consumption.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Establish the microbial algae soil products pilot program; and
(2) Establish the microbial algae soil products pilot program special fund.
SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§141-A Microbial algae soil products pilot program. (a) There is established the microbial
algae soil products pilot program to be administered by the department of
agriculture to introduce microbial algae on agricultural lands in the State to
address agricultural soil health while improving nutrient cycling, reducing
fertilizer dependency, and enhancing overall soil health.
(b) Farmers shall be eligible for participation
in the microbial algae soil products pilot program if the farmer:
(1) Operates a small to medium-sized
farm of not less than ten acres; provided that farmers operating larger farms
may participate if the total farm size does not exceed one hundred acres;
(2) Has stable or moderate production
rates among all crops produced on the farm;
(3) Experiences yield reduction, poor
soil health or nutrient management, or excessive fertilizer use that impacts
the overall quality of soil;
(4) Produces high-value crops or a
diverse variety of crops; and
(5) Operates an organic farm.
The
department of agriculture may establish additional criteria for eligibility to
participate in the microbial algae soil products pilot program.
(c) The department of agriculture shall
collaborate with the college of tropical agriculture and human resources of the
university of Hawaii and laboratories at the university of Hawaii engaged in the
study of soil sciences. The department of
agriculture may collaborate with other departments, laboratories, or units at
the university of Hawaii whose expertise is relevant to the microbial algae
soil products pilot program.
(d) The department of agriculture may adopt rules
pursuant to chapter 91 to implement and administer the microbial algae soil
products pilot program.
(e) The department of agriculture shall submit a
report of its findings and recommendations for long-term application of
microbial algae soil products to the State's agricultural sector, including any
proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027.
§141-B Microbial algae soil products pilot
program special fund. There is established within the state
treasury the microbial algae soil products pilot program special fund, to be
administered by the department of agriculture, into which shall be deposited all moneys appropriated by the
legislature to the special fund, including gifts, donations, grants, or other
proceeds collected by the department for the pilot program. Moneys in the special fund shall be used for
the administration of the microbial algae soil products pilot program
established pursuant to section 141-A."
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 2025-2026 and the
same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027
to be deposited into the microbial algae soil products pilot program special
fund.
SECTION
4. There
is appropriated out of the microbial algae soil products pilot program special
fund the sum of $1,500,000 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:
(1) Data collection and analysis of soil from participating farms;
(2) Soil testing, bacterial counts, water retention, and crop yielding from participating farms;
(3) Equipment, algae-based products, and farming supplies necessary to carry out the microbial algae soil products pilot program;
(4) Educational outreach, including materials and informational seminars to recruit prospective farmers to the microbial algae soil products pilot program and education for the broader community; and
(5) The establishment of full-time equivalent ( FTE) positions to effectuate the purposes of the microbial algae soil products pilot program.
The
sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the
purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. The microbial algae soil products pilot program special fund established pursuant to section 141-B, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be abolished and repealed on June 30, 2027, and any unencumbered remaining balances shall lapse to the general fund.
SECTION 6. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.
SECTION 7. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
DOA; UH; CTAHR; Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program; Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program Special Fund; Rules; Reports; Appropriations
Description:
Establishes a Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and other relevant stakeholders. Establishes the Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program Special Fund. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to adopt administrative rules. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
