Report Title:
Agricultural commodities
Description:
Requires any person or entity who purchases large quantities of agricultural commodities for purposes of resale to verify the identity of the seller and record each such transaction on forms authorized by the chief of police in each county.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1353 |
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TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that many of the large and small farmers in the state are victimized by unscrupulous individuals or groups who steal their products shortly before harvest. Often, entire truckloads are stolen at one time, depleting the farmer of his entire cash crop. In turn, the stolen crops are sold to wholesalers and retailers at significantly reduced prices. This is a growing problem for farmers of local grown oranges, tangelos, macadamia nuts, avocados, as well as other commercially grown food products. The continued loss of crops forces a significant economic strain on the farmers and their families who rely on the income from their farms. The severity of the problem is so great that many farmers face the possibility of losing their business.
The purpose of this Act is to provide farmers protection from the premature harvesting and theft of their crops.
SECTION 2. Chapter 145, Part 2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§145- Verification of seller's identity.
No wholesaler, vendor, purchaser, or person who purchases, transports, or possesses agricultural commodities in lots of over two hundred pounds or with a value of at least $100, shall accept agricultural commodities from a person unable to supply verification of identity by photo identification card, a state-issued identification card, driver's license, or federal government-issued identification card; provided that in addition to such verification, the person's thumbprint shall be taken, and retained on file.
(b) Any person who violates this section shall be penalized pursuant to sections 145-12 and 145-13."
SECTION 3. Chapter 145, Part 2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§145- Record of verified identification.
Every wholesaler, vendor, purchaser, or person who purchases, transports, or possess agricultural commodities in lots of over two hundred pounds or with a value of at least $100, shall, immediately upon receipt of any such agricultural commodity, record the following information, on a form authorized by the chief of police in each county:
(1) The name and address of the seller, transporter, or possesser;
(2) The name, residence address, date of birth, and the age of the person from whom the agricultural commodity was received;
(3) The date and time the agricultural commodity was received;
(4) The signature of the person from whom the agricultural commodity was received;
(5) The thumbprint, the Hawaii license number, or if the person does not possess a Hawaii license, the number of and description of any government issued identification which bears a photograph of the person from whom the agricultural commodity was received;
(6) A complete and accurate description of the agricultural commodity received, including any labeling or trademark;
(7) A reasonable estimate of the quantity of the agricultural commodity received; and
(8) The price paid by the wholesaler, vendor, or purchaser for each agricultural commodity.
Upon request and at the discretion of the chief of police of each county, copies of all completed forms required by this section shall be surrendered, mailed, or electronically inputted and transmitted via modem or by facsimile transmittal to the chief of police or to the chief of police's authorized representative. The method of submittal to the chief of police shall be at the option of the wholesaler, vendor, or purchaser."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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