HI HB1578

Establishes a Carbon Farming Task Force within the Office of Planning to identify agricultural and aquacultural practices that provide carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas benefits.

Task force shall identify management practices, public policies, and benchmarks to increase climate resiliency and carbon sequestration in Hawaii's agricultural and natural environment.

Task force membership includes representatives from state agencies, county governments, University of Hawaii, environmental nonprofit organizations, and agricultural associations.

Requires preliminary report to legislature by 20 days before 2023 regular session and final report by 20 days before 2025 regular session, with recommendations on incentives, grants, and policies to promote carbon-sequestering practices.

Appropriates $25,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2017-2018 and sets task force termination date of June 30, 2025.