RELATING TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION INCENTIVES.

SB 1178 makes Hawaii's Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Program permanent under the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The bill directly affects landowners who participate in the program, providing ongoing incentives for land management practices that capture carbon. Key provisions codify existing rules for the program, ensuring consistent support for activities like forest conservation and sustainable agriculture that enhance carbon sequestration. This change eliminates the need for annual legislative renewals, providing long-term stability for the initiative.