HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2129

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO the environment.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to a climate crisis, with potentially dire consequences for the State.  Carbon sequestration, the act of drawing carbon out of the air and into trees and soil, is an important tool in reversing the climate crisis.  Trees sequester carbon through photosynthesis and soil carbon sequestration is the process in which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and stored in the soil carbon pool.  This is the combined result of increasing the amount of plant roots and residues returned to the soil, decreased decomposition from soil tillage, and decreased soil erosion.  Growing more organic plant food locally in Hawaii will provide greater food security and reduce the use of fossil fuels to import plant food by air or ship.

     The legislature further finds that in order to assist in reversing the levels of greenhouse gases, the agricultural development and food security special fund should provide grants for afforestation, reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, and local organic plant food production in the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize the agricultural development and food security special fund to be used to award grants to persons proposing to engage in afforestation, reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, or local organic plant food production in the State.

     SECTION 2.  Section 141-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:

     "(c)  Subject to legislative appropriation, moneys in the special fund may be expended for the following purposes:

     (1)  The awarding of grants to farmers for agricultural production or processing activity;

     (2)  The awarding of grants not to exceed $           per grantee to persons proposing to engage in afforestation, reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, or local organic plant food production in the State;

    [(2)](3)  The acquisition of real property for agricultural production or processing activity;

    [(3)](4)  The improvement of real property, dams, reservoirs, irrigation systems, and transportation networks necessary to promote agricultural production or processing activity, including investigative studies to identify and assess necessary improvements to dams, reservoirs, irrigation systems, and transportation networks;

    [(4)](5)  The purchase of equipment necessary for agricultural production or processing activity;

    [(5)](6)  The conduct of research on and testing of agricultural products and markets;

    [(6)](7)  The funding of agricultural inspector positions within the department of agriculture;

    [(7)](8)  The promotion and marketing of agricultural products grown or raised in the State;

    [(8)](9)  Water quality testing and improvement; and

    [(9)](10)  Any other activity intended to increase agricultural production or processing that may lead to reduced importation of food, fodder, or feed from outside the State.

     (d)  The department of agriculture shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session on the status and progress of existing programs and activities and the status of new programs and activities funded under the agricultural development and food security special fund.  The report shall also include:

     (1)  The spending plan of the agricultural development and food security special fund;

     (2)  All expenditures of agricultural development and food security special fund moneys;

     (3)  The targeted markets of the expenditures, including the reason for selecting those markets;

     (4)  The persons to be served using the expenditures; [and]

     (5)  The specific objectives of the expenditures, including measurable outcomes[.]; and

     (6)  A listing of grants and amounts granted pursuant to subsection (c)(2)."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Afforestation; Reforestation; Soil Carbon Sequestration; Local Organic Food Production; Reporting

 

Description:

Authorizes the agricultural development and food security special fund to be used to award grants to individuals proposing to engage in afforestation, reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, or local organic plant food production in the State.  Requires the department of agriculture to submit a listing of grants and amounts granted to persons who engaged in afforestation, reforestation, soil carbon sequestration, or local organic plant food production in the State.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.