H.B. 776 - Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program

• Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture, consisting of a reimbursement program for geographically disadvantaged farmers and livestock producers and a grant program for small-scale farmers, ranchers, and food hubs in rural or underserved areas to offset transportation costs for agricultural products, inputs, supplies, and equipment.

• Reimbursement program provides payments to geographically disadvantaged farmers and livestock producers for eligible intra-island, inter-island, and out-of-state transportation costs, with reimbursement rates and annual caps to be determined by the department.

• Grant program assists small-scale farmers, ranchers, food hubs, and agricultural producers in rural areas with transportation costs for movement of raw or processed agricultural products and equipment within the State or to markets and ports, with applicants required to meet citizenship, residency, compliance, and non-discrimination standards.

• Creates the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Special Fund administered by the Department of Agriculture to receive appropriations, federal funds, and private donations to support both programs, with expenditures authorized without further appropriation.

• Requires the Department of Agriculture to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing program participation, reimbursements and grants distributed, impact assessments on agricultural productivity and competitiveness, and recommendations for proposed legislation.