HI HB2496

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to help offset high shipping costs faced by farmers, ranchers, and food producers due to Hawaii's geographic isolation

Creates a reimbursement program for geographically disadvantaged farmers and livestock producers to cover eligible transportation costs for agricultural products, inputs, supplies, equipment, livestock, and feed for intra-island, inter-island, and out-of-state transport

Creates a grant program specifically for small-scale farmers, ranchers, food hubs, and agricultural producers in rural or underserved areas to subsidize transportation costs related to production and distribution of agricultural commodities

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Special Fund to be funded through legislative appropriations, federal funds, private contributions, and other revenues, with expenditures allowed without further appropriation

Requires the department to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing program participation, reimbursement and grant amounts, transportation cost breakdowns, and assessments of program effectiveness on agricultural productivity and competitiveness