THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2096
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to agriculture.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that certain companies require local farmers to have third-party food safety certifications before purchasing locally grown food from those farmers.  The legislature further finds that private food safety certification is often cost prohibitive and places a financial burden on local farmers.  Farmers who cannot afford third-party food safety certifications will miss out on market opportunities to sell their products.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to develop a food safety compliance certificate program that allows farmers to obtain a certificate that is equivalent to a third-party food safety certification.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§141‑   Food safety compliance certificate program. (a)  The department of agriculture shall issue a food safety compliance certificate to any farmer who registers with the department, on forms prescribed and prepared by the department, the following information:

(1) The farmer's name, address, including tax map key number, and contact information;

(2) Identification of the primary crops grown by the farmer;

(3) A description of on-farm practices designed to minimize the risk of food contamination by human and animal pathogens, including records of how food is grown, handled, and stored;

(4) Any other information that may assist the department with:

(A) Compiling accurate information on the food safety practices of farmers in the State;

(B) Tracing specific food-borne pathogen outbreaks related to locally grown crops; and

(C) Developing methods of preventing food-borne pathogen outbreaks from reoccurring.

(b)  A food safety compliance certificate issued pursuant to this section shall be equivalent to any food safety certification issued by a private third party.

(c)  The department shall keep registration information confidential to the extent that the information falls within an exception to disclosure under chapter 92F; provided that the name, business address, and primary crops of each registrant shall be made publicly available by the department; provided further that the department may compile statistics based on the information, pursuant to section 141-1.

(d)  The department shall charge a fee of $100 for registration under this section.

(e)  A food safety compliance certificate shall be effective for a period of one year, and may be renewed at the end of each one-year period.

(f)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to carry out the purpose of this section."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Agriculture; Food Safety; Certification

Description:

Requires the department of agriculture to develop a food safety compliance certificate registry program.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.