Bill > SB127

This bill establishes the Conventional Farming Grant Program within Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to provide financial support to small and midsized farmers practicing conventional farming. The program will offer grants to farms with annual gross cash farm income between less than $350,000 (small farms) and $350,000 to $999,999 (midsized farms), with potential flexibility in these definitions based on future USDA guidelines. To be eligible, applicants must own a farm, comply with anti-discrimination laws, be licensed (if an entity), have proper governance policies, and agree to grant usage restrictions. The bill defines "conventional farming" as growing crops from traditionally bred seeds that are not biotechnology-derived or organic certified. Grant applications will be evaluated by the Board of Agriculture, with recipients required to maintain transparent records and comply with all federal, state, and county regulations. The bill includes an appropriation of funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, with the total amount to be determined, and is set to take effect on July 1, 2050.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=127&year=2025