STAND. COM. REP. NO. 947

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 453

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 453, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish in the Department of Agriculture the food safety certification costs grant program to assist farmers and ranchers in meeting the costs of compliance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, Food and Drug Administration regulations, and state food safety laws.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association; Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United; Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association; and twenty-three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committee finds that the purpose of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act is to ensure that the United States food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.  Your Committee also finds that it may be difficult and costly for farmers and ranchers in the State to comply with the requirements of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act and other federal and state food safety regulations.  Your Committee believes that this measure will support Hawaii's agricultural industry by assisting farmers and ranchers with compliance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, Food and Drug Administration regulations, and state food safety laws.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making it effective on July 1, 2017.

     Your Committee recommends that if your Committee on Ways and Means chooses to pass this measure, that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $1,000,000 for implementation of the food safety certification costs grant program and related administrative costs.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 453, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 453, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair