HI HB2246

Establishes an agricultural grant program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to search for, apply for, and administer federal agricultural grants benefiting Hawaii's agricultural industry.

Creates an agricultural grant revolving fund to receive the department's share of federal indirect overhead reimbursements from grants.

Authorizes fund expenditures for grant searching, application development, compliance monitoring, auditing, consultant services, operational expenses, and temporary staff hiring.

Requires the department to submit annual reports to the legislature on federal agricultural grant applications and awards no later than twenty days before each regular session.

Since November 2024, the department has obtained $8,899,450.16 in federal USDA grant funds with an additional $5,285,000 in pending applications.