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HI HB968

Bill

Status

Introduced

1/23/2025

Primary Sponsor

Kirstin Kahaloa

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Establishes a Healthy Soils Program within the Department of Agriculture to create a statewide soil health assessment, identify effective practices for improving soil health and building carbon stocks in Hawaii
  • Requires the program to provide farmers with education and technical assistance on farm management practices that contribute to healthy soils
  • Directs the program to establish standards based on greenhouse gas sequestration task force findings regarding minimum soil carbon and water content levels
  • Sets long-term goals including deadlines for state agricultural awards to meet healthy soils standards, requiring soil health plans for state lands leased for agriculture, and incentivizing small farmers and ranchers to take carbon negative actions
  • Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to establish the program and issue financial incentives, with annual legislative reporting required

Legislative Description

Relating To Agriculture.

Appropriation ($)

Last Action

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

12/8/2025

Committee Referrals

Finance2/11/2025
Agriculture1/23/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available