Bill > HR26

This resolution requests Hawaii's congressional delegation to petition the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address unequal treatment of Hawaii's agricultural exports. The resolution highlights that Hawaii is uniquely regulated similarly to U.S. territories, facing significant barriers to interstate agricultural trade. Under federal regulations, the USDA can prohibit or restrict the movement of plants and agricultural products from Hawaii to the continental United States, ostensibly to prevent plant pest introduction. Currently, Hawaii must submit petitions to expand its list of allowable exported agricultural commodities, which requires a lengthy pest risk analysis, and is placed in the same queue as foreign countries seeking to export products. This process has severely limited Hawaii's agricultural exports, with growers often waiting years or even decades for USDA authorization. The resolution seeks to draw attention to these discriminatory practices and urges Hawaii's congressional representatives to advocate for more equitable treatment of the state's agricultural sector in terms of interstate and export regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=26&year=2025