Transportation (Agriculture)

This bill establishes a pilot program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to help local farmers and ranchers pay for transporting their goods and supplies. Eligible participants, including small-scale producers and cooperatives, can receive reimbursements covering up to 50% of their transportation costs or a maximum of $25,000 per year, with a total annual budget cap of $2 million. The program is designed to offset rising shipping expenses and tariffs that currently make it difficult for local agricultural businesses to operate profitably. To ensure accountability, the department must submit an annual report to the legislature detailing how many producers were helped and how much money was spent.

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program, to consist of a reimbursement program for geographically disadvantaged farmers and livestock producers to mitigate the high costs of transportation for agricultural products, inputs, and supplies, and a grant program to assist small-scale farmers, ranchers, food hubs, and agricultural producers in rural or underserved areas with transportation costs directly related to the production and distribution of agricultural commodities. Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.