Bill > SCR34

This concurrent resolution requests Hawaii's congressional delegation to petition the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address inequitable agricultural export regulations that disproportionately impact Hawaii. Currently, Hawaii is uniquely regulated similarly to U.S. territories and faces significant restrictions under federal regulations (specifically title 7 Code of Federal Regulations part 318) that prohibit or severely limit the interstate movement of agricultural products like cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, and plants to the continental United States. The resolution highlights that Hawaii must submit detailed petitions with pest risk analyses to add agricultural commodities to an allowable export list, and these petitions are often processed more slowly than petitions from foreign countries seeking to export products to the U.S. This bureaucratic process has severely constrained Hawaii's agricultural sector, with growers sometimes waiting years or even decades for USDA authorization. By requesting congressional intervention, the resolution aims to achieve more equitable treatment and expedited processing of Hawaii's agricultural export petitions, ultimately supporting the state's agricultural industry and economic interests.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=34&year=2025