SB326.DOC

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that food safety is a significant concern for residents in Hawaii and the United States. However, the issue of food safety cannot be addressed in a vacuum and involves collaboration amongst various state and federal agencies. The federal Food Safety Modernization Act was enacted with the express purpose of addressing food safety and agriculture. The United States Food and Drug Administration, in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture, is crafting the necessary rules to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act. While the federal regulations for the Food Safety Modernization Act have not been finalized, the State of Hawaii wishes to proactively examine good agricultural practices that will improve the overall safety of the food Hawaii grows and eats.

United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Kathleen Merrigan, has partnered with FamilyFarmed.org to create an online tool that enables produce growers to create customized food safety plans. The use of this tool is voluntary but would provide growers the ability to assess risks specific to their farms and suggest practices to mitigate those risks. In a similar fashion, the State of Hawaii wishes to work with agriculture producers to develop preventative measures that will address inherent risks in farming and ranching practices. The preventative measures will address practices throughout the food supply system, from the foods' origin on the farm to its ultimate destination, the wholesaler or retailer.

In addressing good agricultural practices and preventative measures from farm to wholesaler, one vital component to address is integrated pest management. Safe practices on farms cannot be addressed without addressing the use of pesticides. A good integrated pest management system would incorporate proper sanitation practices, physical barriers, bio-control, and the use of pesticides as a last resort.

The purpose of this Act is to mitigate the risks involved in food production by establishing a task force to identify good agricultural practices and preventative measure guidelines to ensure safe food throughout the farm-to-consumer food supply system.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a good agricultural practices task force to identify good agricultural practices and preventative measure guidelines in the food supply system to improve the overall safety of locally grown food.

(b) The chairperson of the board of agriculture or the chairperson's designee shall serve as chair of the task force.

(1) The director of health, or the director's designee;

(2) The dean of the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources or the dean's designee;

(3) The chair of the senate committee on agriculture;

(4) The chair of the house of representatives committee on agriculture;

(5) The president of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation or the president's designee;

(6) The president of the Hawaii Farmer's Union United or the president's designee; and

(7) Four representatives from agricultural producers statewide selected by the governor.

(d) The food safety task force shall:

(1) Develop good agricultural practices and preventative measure guidelines for agricultural producers to follow to mitigate food safety risks that may arise throughout the farm-to-consumer food supply system.

(2) Research other state, county, and organizational policies and suggested best practices related to food safety that may arise in the farm-to-consumer supply system.

(e) The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2014 regular session, and shall be dissolved on December 31, 2013.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 for administrative costs associated with the good agricultural practices task force to include statewide meetings. The appropriation made for the purposes authorized under this section shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriations are made; provided that any balance of any appropriation that is not encumbered as of June 30, 2015, shall lapse as of that date.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	326
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII