From The Garden Island:

The state Senate Agriculture Committee will hear public opinions on at least six bills related to incentives to local farmers Tuesday. The bills’ scope range from tax exemptions to planning for food security.

Senate Bill 326 creates and appropriates funds for a “good agricultural practices” task force to develop food-safety guidelines for locally farmed products.

The proposed task force would be composed of the state’s Director of Health, the dean of the University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, the Senate Agriculture Committee chair, the House Agriculture Committee chair, the president of the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Federation, the president of the Hawai‘i Farmers Union United and four representatives from ag producers statewide hand-picked by the governor.

The proposed bill allows for the stakeholders to appoint a designee rather than serving on the task force,

SB 363 creates an income tax exemption on the first $50,000 of income for family farms, family farm communities and family farm cooperatives. Read the full story.

And here’s the latest in other neighbor isle gov’t and politics:

Waimea Sports Complex to feature sports for all ages

Kilauea students use art to raise awareness for Kauai’s infected coral

Multiple lava streams entering the ocean near base of Kilauea

Chang makes College of Pharmacy project a top priority

Kauai records high counts in first Ocean Count

Kawaihau Spur construction to resume in summer

Kauai Police Commission meeting addresses marijuana, arrest policies

Drug busts highlight Molokai police efforts

Care Homes by Hale Makua blessed, to accommodate 26

Borer damaging Kona coffee industry

North Hawaii hospital eyes improvements

Mac Poepoe gets conservation award

Photo of lettuces and kale at Honopua Farm courtesy dwolfgra.