HI SB337

Establishes a three-year cover crop reimbursement pilot program administered by the Department of Agriculture to reimburse farming operations for up to 75% of costs for acquiring cover crop seeds, green manure, or compost.

Requires applicants to submit documentation of purchase costs and certify that reimbursement amounts are not already covered by other governmental cover crop incentive programs such as USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program or Conservation Stewardship Program.

Creates a review panel comprised of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and industry organizations to screen and rate applicants on quality of their cover crop and composting practices.

Establishes a full-time temporary Cover Crop Reimbursement Pilot Program Manager position with annual salary not exceeding $50,000 to administer the program.

Requires interim report to legislature by 2024 and final report by 2025 with recommendations on whether to extend the pilot program, and appropriates unspecified general revenues for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.