HI HB275

Establishes a grant program in the Department of Agriculture to assist taro farmers in meeting the costs of cultivating taro for consumption.

Grants to individual applicants have a maximum amount (specific dollar amount not filled in the bill text) and cannot reimburse costs incurred more than five years prior to application.

Grantees must demonstrate prior spending on taro cultivation, comply with all applicable federal and state laws, indemnify the State of Hawaii against claims, and make records available for departmental monitoring.

Appropriates unspecified funds from general revenues for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 for the Department of Agriculture to administer the grant program.

Addresses Hawaii's food security vulnerabilities by supporting taro production, a staple starch crop critical to Native Hawaiian health and capable of producing 10,000-20,000 pounds per acre annually.