Bill Text: HI SB523 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Agricultural Biosecurity.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-21 - Referred to AEN, WAM. [SB523 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2025-SB523-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
523 |
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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 agricultural biosecurity.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to establish and administer a biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program to assist agricultural operations in constructing or upgrading fencing infrastructure to enhance biosecurity, mitigate invasive species impacts, and support agricultural production, while incentivizing the adoption of soil and water conservation district-approved conservation plans.
SECTION 2. 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- Biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program;
reimbursement rates; eligibility; reporting; rules. (a)
The department shall establish and administer a biosecurity fencing cost-sharing
program to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants for the installation,
construction, repair, or improvement of agricultural fencing to enhance biosecurity, mitigate invasive species impacts,
and protect agricultural productivity.
The program shall also incentivize the adoption of approved conservation
plans.
(b)
The program shall reimburse eligible applicants for:
(1) Not less than fifty per cent of eligible expenses; or
(2) Up to per cent of eligible expenses; provided that the applicant submits an approved conservation plan pursuant to subsection (e)(2).
(c)
The total amount of reimbursements for eligible expenses disbursed to an
eligible applicant shall not exceed $
in any fiscal year.
(d)
To qualify for reimbursement of eligible expenses pursuant to this
section, applicants shall:
(1) Demonstrate
active agricultural operations involving livestock or crops;
(2) Submit
an application with supporting documentation, as required by the department,
including:
(A) Proof of agricultural activity, such as a tax map key
designation or farm revenue records; and
(B) An approved conservation plan; provided that the applicant is seeking
the higher reimbursement rate under subsection (b)(2); and
(3) Agree
to submit a report that details the type and length of any agricultural fencing
installed, constructed, repaired, or improved within thirty days after the date
of completion of the project.
(e)
The department shall:
(1) Maintain
records of all eligible applicants, including the type and length of any
agricultural fencing installed, constructed, repaired, or improved; and
(2) Submit
to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each
regular session an annual report containing:
(A) The total expenditures of the program;
(B) The total number of miles of agricultural fencing installed,
constructed, repaired, or improved; and
(C) The impact of the program on invasive species management and
agricultural biosecurity in the State.
The
department shall not provide technical assistance in the preparation of an
application under subsection (e)(2) or execution of a project under subsection
(d)(2).
(f)
To market the biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program, the department
shall:
(1) Develop and implement a public awareness campaign to inform farmers of the program's availability; and
(2) Distribute
relevant information through online platforms, print materials, and
agricultural organizations.
(g)
The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary
for the purposes of this section.
(h)
For the purposes of this section:
"Agricultural fencing" means
physical barriers, including but not limited to fencing infrastructure made of any
combination of barbed wire, smooth wire, wooden posts, or electrically charged
fence wire, and other exclusionary barriers for livestock or crop farms, that
are designed to mitigate the movement of invasive species and protect
agricultural activity.
"Agricultural fencing" also includes stone fences, traditional
Hawaiian dry-set masonry also known as uhau humu pohaku, and other culturally
appropriate fencing methods for livestock or crops.
"Approved conservation plan"
means a conservation plan approved by an applicable soil and water conservation
district.
"Conservation plan" has the
same meaning as defined in section 180C-1.
"Department" means the department
of agriculture.
"Eligible applicant" means any
farmer or farm entity that meets the eligibility criteria adopted by the
department pursuant to this section.
"Eligible expenses" includes
the purchase of materials, labor costs, and other costs deemed eligible by the
department for:
(1) The
installation, construction, repair, or improvement of agricultural fencing; and
(2) Projects
designed to mitigate the movement of invasive species and protect agricultural
activity.
"Soil and water conservation
district" has the same meaning as defined in section 180-1."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 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 the establishment of the biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program pursuant to section 141- , Hawaii Revised Statutes.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
DOA; Biosecurity Fencing Cost-Sharing Program; Agricultural Fencing Costs; Reimbursements; Appropriations
Description:
Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish and administer a Biosecurity Fencing Cost-Sharing Program. 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.
