Bill > SB1184

This bill establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture to help farmers and livestock producers manage high transportation costs caused by Hawaii's geographic isolation. The program will consist of two components: a reimbursement program for geographically disadvantaged farmers and a grant program for small-scale farmers in rural or underserved areas. The reimbursement program will cover eligible transportation costs such as shipping fertilizers, seeds, equipment, livestock, feed, and agricultural products, with a maximum reimbursement of $8,000 per applicant annually. The grant program will provide financial assistance to help farmers transport agricultural products, inputs, and equipment within the state or to markets and ports. To qualify, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents domiciled in Hawaii, produce agricultural products in the state, and comply with federal and state non-discrimination laws. A special fund will be created to support these programs, sourced from legislative appropriations, federal funds, private contributions, and other revenues. The Department of Agriculture will be required to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing program participation, distributed funds, and the programs' impact on agricultural productivity and competitiveness. The bill aims to support Hawaii's agricultural sector by reducing transportation barriers and enhancing food security and economic resilience.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1184&year=2026