HI HB443

Establishes a healthy soils program within the department of agriculture to create soil assessment and education programs, provide technical assistance to farmers, and operate a soil health grants program.

Requires the department to administer existing financial incentives including the compost reimbursement program and cover crop reimbursement pilot program, and establish additional programs based on findings from the greenhouse gas sequestration task force.

Directs the department to conduct baseline soil health assessments measuring organic matter, water infiltration rate, microbiology, aggregate stability, and phospholipid levels while establishing a statewide network of soil health champions.

Authorizes grants to eligible entities for technical assistance and to farmers and ranchers implementing soil health practices, with priority consideration for young producers, veterans, small farms, and economically disadvantaged communities.

Appropriates $500,000 for fiscal year 2023-2024 and $500,000 for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish the program and issue grants, with annual reporting required to the legislature.