Bill > SR20

This resolution requests Hawaii's congressional delegation to petition the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address the unequal treatment of Hawaii in agricultural export regulations. 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 authorized. The resolution highlights that Hawaii must submit petitions to add agricultural commodities to the allowable list, which requires a lengthy pest risk analysis, and these petitions are often deprioritized compared to foreign country export petitions. These strict USDA quarantine requirements have severely limited Hawaii's agricultural exports, causing substantial economic challenges for the state's growers, who may wait years or even decades for authorization. By requesting congressional intervention, the resolution aims to achieve regulatory parity and support Hawaii's agricultural sector by addressing these restrictive export barriers.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SR&billnumber=20&year=2025