HI HB453

Establishes a grant program in the Department of Agriculture to help farmers and ranchers cover costs of complying with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, FDA regulations, and state food safety laws, including audit costs.

Limits individual grants to a maximum of $5,000 per applicant and requires applicants to have already spent money on food safety compliance to be eligible.

Restricts grant eligibility to costs incurred within the five years prior to application submission.

Creates the food safety certification costs grant program special fund in the state treasury, funded by legislative appropriations and interest, to be administered by the Department of Agriculture.

Appropriates $500,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2017-2018 to implement the grant program, effective July 1, 2017.