STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2031-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: S.C.R. No. 167

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 167, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE IMPORT PERMIT PROCESS FOR ALL AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE RECOMMENDING ANY REQUIRED LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO THE IMPORT PERMIT PROCESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address the administrative rules of the Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch (Branch) relating to the import permit process that do not reflect the current agricultural status of Hawaii and do not incorporate modern scientific research by requesting the Board of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature, prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2019, that recommends any required legislation to change the import permit process, after reviewing and updating the import permit process that at least considers:

(1) Updating the Branch's rules to reflect current industry conditions and needs;

(2) Adopting the proposed risk-based import framework for aquaculture and expanding it to all import categories;

(3) Developing best management practices applicable for all agriculture industries for integration into permit conditions; and

(4) Updating the import permit lists using risk assessments to remove existing species or add new species.

The Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i supported this measure. The Department of Agriculture submitted comments.

Your Committee respectfully requests that your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate further on this measure, consider the concerns raised by the Department of Agriculture relating to the accuracy of the statements in this measure, as expressed in its written testimony, and to take any action it deems appropriate.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 167, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair