RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL GRANTS.

SB2126

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2126

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL GRANTS
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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Chapter 141,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:

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"
�141-
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Conventional farming grant program.
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(a)
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There is established within
the department of agriculture and biosecurity the conventional farming grant
program.

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(b)
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Subject to available funds, the conventional
farming grant program shall provide grants to small and midsized farms that
predominately practice conventional farming.

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(c)
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Each grant application shall be evaluated by
the board of agriculture and biosecurity and shall be approved if the
application satisfies the following requirements:

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(1)
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The applicant shall be an owner of a
small farm or midsized farm;

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(2)
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I
f the applicant is an entity
other than an individual, the applicant shall:

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(A)
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Be licensed to conduct business in
the State; and

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(B)
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Adopt bylaws or policies that
describe the manner in which business is conducted, prohibit nepotism, and
provide for the management of potential conflicts of interest;

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(3)
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The applicant shall comply with all
applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination against any person
on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual
orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable
federal or state law;

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(4)
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Grant moneys shall not be used for
purposes of entertainment or perquisites;

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(5)
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All activities and improvements
undertaken with grant funds shall comply with applicable federal, state, and
county laws, including statutes, ordinances, applicable building codes, and
rules;

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(6)
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The applicant shall agree to make
available to the department of agriculture and biosecurity any records relating
to the grant and allow state agencies to verify the applicant's compliance with
the purpose of this section; and

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(7)
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The applicant shall comply with
other requirements or conditions as the department of agriculture and
biosecurity or board of agriculture and biosecurity may prescribe.

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(d)
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For the purposes of this section:

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"Conventional
farming" means growing crops from seeds that have been genetically altered
using any traditional breeding method, excluding biotechnology, and that are
not certified as organic.

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"Gross
cash farm income" means the sum of the farm's crop and livestock sales,
government payments, and other farm-related income, including fee payments from
contractors.

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"Midsize
farm" means a farm having an annual gross cash farm income of $350,000 to
$999,999; provided that, upon approval by the board of agriculture and
biosecurity, the department of agriculture and biosecurity may apply a higher
annual gross cash farm income amount consistent with the term "midsize
farm" or "midsize family farm" as defined by the United States
Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service in a farm typology
publication or related update.

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"Small
farm" means a farm having an annual gross cash farm income of less than
$350,000; provided that, upon approval by the board of agriculture and
biosecurity, the department of agriculture and biosecurity may apply a higher
annual gross cash farm income amount consistent with the term "small
farm" or "small family farm" as defined by the United States
Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service in a farm typology
publication or related update.
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SECTION 2.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $ or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the conventional
farming grant 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 3.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DAB;
Conventional Farming; Grants; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
the Conventional Farming Grant Program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture

and Biosecurity
to
provide grants to small and midsized farmers who practice conventional
farming.
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Appropriates funds.

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