HI HB2167

Establishes a three-year cover crop reimbursement pilot program administered by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to reimburse farming operations for up to 100 percent of costs incurred for cover crop seeds or green manure purchased between July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2023.

Limits reimbursement to no more than $50,000 per farming operation per year, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from available appropriated funds.

Creates a temporary full-time cover crop reimbursement pilot program manager position within the Department of Agriculture with a salary not to exceed $50,000 per year to administer the program.

Requires applicants to verify their costs were not already covered by other governmental cover crop incentive programs, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service's environmental quality incentive payment or conservation stewardship programs.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2024 regular session with findings, recommendations, and whether the pilot program should be extended or modified.