Bill > HCR27

This concurrent resolution requests Hawaii's congressional delegation to petition the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address inequitable treatment of Hawaii's agricultural exports. Currently, Hawaii is the only state regulated similarly to U.S. territories, facing significant restrictions under federal regulations that prohibit the interstate movement of cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, and plants to the continental United States unless specifically approved. The resolution highlights that Hawaii must submit petitions to add agricultural commodities to the allowable export list, which requires a lengthy pest risk analysis, and is placed in the same queue as foreign countries seeking to export products, often with foreign petitions being prioritized. These USDA quarantine requirements have severely limited Hawaii's agricultural exports, forcing growers to wait years or even decades for authorization, which has critically impacted the state's agricultural sector. The resolution seeks to address this lack of parity and calls for transmitting the resolution to Hawaii's congressional delegation and the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture to prompt action and review of these restrictive export regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HCR&billnumber=27&year=2025