Bill > HB1621

This bill establishes a "Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health Incentive Program" within the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, which is a state agency focused on addressing climate change impacts. The program aims to provide financial and technical assistance to farmers to adopt practices that improve soil health, water retention, and climate resilience, while also supporting local food production and economic viability. Key provisions include prioritizing equitable access for small and socially disadvantaged farmers, supporting first-time adopters of conservation practices, encouraging systemic ecological transitions over simple input substitution, and incorporating traditional Native Hawaiian ecological knowledge. The program will offer financial incentives for "one-time establishment practices" like reforestation and agroforestry, and "annual management practices" such as cover cropping and organic matter amendments. The commission is required to contract for technical assistance, make applications available in different languages, track program outcomes, and coordinate with the University of Hawaii and federal agencies for evaluation. The bill also mandates that the commission submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing its findings, recommendations, and equity metrics, with a comprehensive program evaluation due in 2028 and every three years thereafter. Finally, it appropriates funds for the program's establishment and sets an effective date of July 1, 3000.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1621&year=2026