THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	660
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

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; established.  (a)  There is established within the department of agriculture 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 that are most effective for improving soil health and building soil carbon stocks;

     (2)  Provide farmers with educational and technical assistance to implement farm management practices that contribute to healthy soils;

     (3)  Establish standards for the healthy soils program that are based on the findings of the greenhouse gas sequestration task force established pursuant to section 225P-4, including standards establishing the minimum levels of soil carbon and water content;

     (4)  Establish standards for soil health that take a holistic approach to land management by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices; cycling nutrients; promoting ecological balance; and conserving biodiversity;

     (5)  Establish standards to phase out the use of petrochemical synthetic fertilizers over a period of five to ten years; provided that during the petrochemical synthetic fertilizer phase-out period, the department of agriculture shall provide farmers with assistance in adopting a holistic approach to land management that integrates cultural, biological, and mechanical practices; cycles nutrients; promotes ecological balance; and conserves biodiversity; and

     (6)  Issue awards and other financial incentives, subject to available funding, 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)  The date by which all awards issued by the department of agriculture pursuant to subsection (a)(6) shall meet the standards established pursuant to subsection (a)(3);

     (2)  The date by which a healthy soils plan shall be required for all state lands leased for agricultural use; and

     (3)  Programs incentivizing small farmers, ranchers, and landowners in the State 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 $          or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for establishing the healthy soils program and for issuing awards and other financial incentives pursuant to the program.

     The sums 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, 2023.

 

 

Report Title:

HDOA; Healthy Soils Program; Carbon Sequestration; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Healthy Soils program within the Department of Agriculture.  Appropriates funds. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. (SD2)

 

 

 

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