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HB1953
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1953
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to agriculture
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that the State's agricultural lands, watersheds, and working
landscapes are essential to the State's long-term food security, climate
resilience, and environmental health.
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Farmers and land stewards face persistent barriers to adopt conservation
agricultural practices including limited access to technical assistance,
underinvestment in farm-level conservation infrastructure, and a lack of
coordinated statewide support for soil health, regenerative agriculture, and
climate-smart stewardship.
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The legislature further finds that although
federal conservation programs provide important resources nationally, many of
these programs were developed for large-scale, continental agricultural systems
and do not align well with Hawaii's small, diversified farms or Indigenous and
community-based aina restoration practices.
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The United States Natural Resources
Conservation Service's practice standards, timelines, and engineering
requirements often reflect temperate-climate, acreage-intensive farming models
and can be difficult for the State's producers to access or implement within
tropical agroecosystems, mixed land-tenure arrangements, and culturally
grounded stewardship methods.
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As a
result, Hawaii lacks a conservation agriculture support structure tailored to
the State's unique ecological conditions, production systems, and aina-based
restoration needs.
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While individual
state-level programs currently offer elements of training, cost-share, and
conservation support, Hawaii lacks a unified, statewide system that integrates
conservation agriculture training, on-the-ground implementation, and
infrastructure development.
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A
coordinated statewide approach will strengthen environmental stewardship,
expand local food production, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil and
water health, and build long-term resilience in the State's food systems.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
establish a conservation and agriculture environmental stewardship pilot
program.
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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section
to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
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�141-
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Conservation
and agriculture environmental stewardship pilot program; established.
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(a)
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There is established within
the department of agriculture and biosecurity a conservation and agriculture
environmental stewardship pilot program to expand access to funding and
technical assistance for training incentives, infrastructure support, and
cost-share incentives for farmers, ranchers, land managers, and conservation
partners with the goal of supporting agricultural production.
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(b)
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The pilot program shall include but not be
limited to:
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(1)
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Training
incentives and capacity building that shall include:
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(A)
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Small stipends for farmers and stewards who
complete conservation and planning trainings; and
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(B)
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Workshops on topics including but not
limited to, soil health
, climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry,
composting, water conservation, and farm planning;
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(2)
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Stewardship
implementation cost-share that provides:
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(A)
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Direct support for implementing conservation practices,
including but not limited to cover cropping, soil amendments, erosion control,
nutrient management, compost use, riparian buffers, and biodiversity
improvement; and
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(B)
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Cost-share availability to working farms, ranches, cooperatives,
and community-based conservation partners; and
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(3)
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Infrastructure
development funding for small-scale conservation infrastructure, including but
not limited to composting systems, improved irrigation efficiency, stormwater
management features, equipment for soil health implementation, and other
projects that advance regenerative practices.
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(c)
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The department of agriculture and biosecurity may contract with or award
grants to a nonprofit, or a consortium of nonprofits with experience in
administering statewide food systems funds, agriculture and conservation
cost-share programs, and delivering conservation agriculture training and
technical assistance.
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(d)
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Eligible participants shall include Hawaii-based farmers, ranchers,
producers, landowners, cooperatives, conservation organizations,
community-based agriculture projects and aina restoration and stewardship
organizations.
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SECTION 3.
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The department of agriculture and biosecurity shall submit a report of
its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the
legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular
session of
2027, regarding the conservation and
agriculture environmental stewardship pilot program, which shall include:
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(1)
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The
number and types of participants;
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(2)
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Acres
and areas impacted by conservation implementation;
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(3)
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Types
of conservation practices funded and completed;
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(4)
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Environmental,
social, and cultural outcomes, including soil health improvements, compost use,
water efficiency, and other documented benefits, community participation,
education, and awareness about conservation and agriculture; and
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(5)
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Recommendations
regarding expansion, modification, or continuation of the program.
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SECTION 4.
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The department of agriculture and biosecurity may adopt rules pursuant
to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to effectuate the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 5.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $3,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027 to implement the conservation and agriculture environmental
stewardship pilot program.
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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the department of agriculture and biosecurity for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 6.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 7.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026, and shall be repealed on
June 30, 2028; provided that the department of agriculture and biosecurity
shall retain the authority to complete reporting requirements and close-out
activities.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
DAB;
Conservation
and Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Pilot Program; Report; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes
the
Conservation and Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Pilot Program
within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.
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Requires a report to the Legislature.
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Repeals 6/30/28.
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Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.