| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the spread of invasive species, such as axis deer and feral pigs, poses significant threats to Hawaii's agricultural viability, biosecurity, and ecosystems. Local livestock and crop farms are particularly vulnerable to predation, crop damage, and disease transmission facilitated by these invasive species. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to establish and administer a biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program to assist agricultural operations in constructing or upgrading fencing infrastructure to enhance biosecurity, mitigate invasive species impacts, and support agricultural production, while incentivizing the adoption of soil and water conservation district-approved conservation plans. SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§141- Biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program; reimbursement rates; eligibility; reporting; rules. (a) The department shall establish and administer a biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants for the installation, construction, repair, or improvement of agricultural fencing to enhance biosecurity, mitigate invasive species impacts, and protect agricultural productivity. The program shall also incentivize the adoption of approved conservation plans. (b) The program shall reimburse eligible applicants for: (1) Not less than fifty per cent of eligible expenses; or (2) Up to per cent of eligible expenses; provided that the applicant submits an approved conservation plan pursuant to subsection (d)(2). (c) The total amount of reimbursements for eligible expenses disbursed to an eligible applicant shall not exceed $ in any fiscal year. (d) To qualify for reimbursement of eligible expenses pursuant to this section, applicants shall: (1) Demonstrate active agricultural operations involving livestock or crops; (2) Submit an application with supporting documentation, as required by the department, including: (A) Proof of agricultural activity, such as a tax map key designation or farm revenue records; and (B) An approved conservation plan; provided that the applicant is seeking the higher reimbursement rate under subsection (b)(2); and (3) Agree to submit a report that details the type and length of any agricultural fencing installed, constructed, repaired, or improved within thirty days after the date of completion of the project. (e) The department shall: (1) Maintain records of all eligible applicants, including the type and length of any agricultural fencing installed, constructed, repaired, or improved; and (2) Submit to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session an annual report containing: (A) The total expenditures of the program; (B) The total number of miles of agricultural fencing installed, constructed, repaired, or improved; and (C) The impact of the program on invasive species management and agricultural biosecurity in the State. The department shall not provide technical assistance in the preparation of an application under subsection (d)(2) or execution of a project described under subsection (d)(3). (f) To market the biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program, the department shall: (1) Develop and implement a public awareness campaign to inform farmers of the program's availability; and (2) Distribute relevant information through online platforms, print materials, and agricultural organizations. (g) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for the purposes of this section. (h) For the purposes of this section: "Agricultural fencing" means physical barriers, including but not limited to fencing infrastructure made of any combination of barbed wire, smooth wire, wooden posts, or electrically charged fence wire, and other exclusionary barriers for livestock or crop farms, that are designed to mitigate the movement of invasive species and protect agricultural activity. "Agricultural fencing" also includes stone fences, traditional Hawaiian dry-set masonry also known as uhau humu pohaku, and other culturally appropriate fencing methods for livestock or crops. "Approved conservation plan" means a conservation plan approved by an applicable soil and water conservation district. "Conservation plan" has the same meaning as defined in section 180C-1. "Department" means the department of agriculture. "Eligible applicant" means any farmer or farm entity that meets the eligibility criteria adopted by the department pursuant to this section. "Eligible expenses" includes the purchase of materials, labor costs, and other costs deemed eligible by the department for: (1) The installation, construction, repair, or improvement of agricultural fencing; and (2) Projects designed to mitigate the movement of invasive species and protect agricultural activity. "Soil and water conservation district" has the same meaning as defined in section 180-1." SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of the biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program pursuant to section 141- , Hawaii Revised Statutes. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050. |
|---|
| 47 | + | SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the spread of invasive species, such as axis deer and feral pigs, poses significant threats to Hawaii's agricultural viability, biosecurity, and ecosystems. Local livestock and crop farms are particularly vulnerable to predation, crop damage, and disease transmission facilitated by these invasive species. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to establish and administer a biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program to assist agricultural operations in constructing or upgrading fencing infrastructure to enhance biosecurity, mitigate invasive species impacts, and support agricultural production, while incentivizing the adoption of soil and water conservation district-approved conservation plans. SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§141- Biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program; reimbursement rates; eligibility; reporting; rules. (a) The department shall establish and administer a biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants for the installation, construction, repair, or improvement of agricultural fencing to enhance biosecurity, mitigate invasive species impacts, and protect agricultural productivity. The program shall also incentivize the adoption of approved conservation plans. (b) The program shall reimburse eligible applicants for: (1) Not less than fifty per cent of eligible expenses; or (2) Up to per cent of eligible expenses; provided that the applicant submits an approved conservation plan pursuant to subsection (e)(2). (c) The total amount of reimbursements for eligible expenses disbursed to an eligible applicant shall not exceed $ in any fiscal year. (d) To qualify for reimbursement of eligible expenses pursuant to this section, applicants shall: (1) Demonstrate active agricultural operations involving livestock or crops; (2) Submit an application with supporting documentation, as required by the department, including: (A) Proof of agricultural activity, such as a tax map key designation or farm revenue records; and (B) An approved conservation plan; provided that the applicant is seeking the higher reimbursement rate under subsection (b)(2); and (3) Agree to submit a report that details the type and length of any agricultural fencing installed, constructed, repaired, or improved within thirty days after the date of completion of the project. (e) The department shall: (1) Maintain records of all eligible applicants, including the type and length of any agricultural fencing installed, constructed, repaired, or improved; and (2) Submit to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session an annual report containing: (A) The total expenditures of the program; (B) The total number of miles of agricultural fencing installed, constructed, repaired, or improved; and (C) The impact of the program on invasive species management and agricultural biosecurity in the State. The department shall not provide technical assistance in the preparation of an application under subsection (e)(2) or execution of a project under subsection (d)(2). (f) To market the biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program, the department shall: (1) Develop and implement a public awareness campaign to inform farmers of the program's availability; and (2) Distribute relevant information through online platforms, print materials, and agricultural organizations. (g) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for the purposes of this section. (h) For the purposes of this section: "Agricultural fencing" means physical barriers, including but not limited to fencing infrastructure made of any combination of barbed wire, smooth wire, wooden posts, or electrically charged fence wire, and other exclusionary barriers for livestock or crop farms, that are designed to mitigate the movement of invasive species and protect agricultural activity. "Agricultural fencing" also includes stone fences, traditional Hawaiian dry-set masonry also known as uhau humu pohaku, and other culturally appropriate fencing methods for livestock or crops. "Approved conservation plan" means a conservation plan approved by an applicable soil and water conservation district. "Conservation plan" has the same meaning as defined in section 180C-1. "Department" means the department of agriculture. "Eligible applicant" means any farmer or farm entity that meets the eligibility criteria adopted by the department pursuant to this section. "Eligible expenses" includes the purchase of materials, labor costs, and other costs deemed eligible by the department for: (1) The installation, construction, repair, or improvement of agricultural fencing; and (2) Projects designed to mitigate the movement of invasive species and protect agricultural activity. "Soil and water conservation district" has the same meaning as defined in section 180-1." SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of the biosecurity fencing cost-sharing program pursuant to section 141- , Hawaii Revised Statutes. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ |
|---|