STAND. COM. REP. NO. 558

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 463

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 463, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist Hawaii's farmers to acquire certification under the United States Department of Agriculture Good Agricultural Practices Certification Program (GAPCP) by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Agriculture to partner with Hawaii's agricultural community to establish a food safety certification program that provides implementation assistance to small to medium sized farms with less than $500,000 in annual food sales and results in GAPCP certification or its equivalent; and

(2) Appropriating funds for a food safety certification program.

The Hawaii Food Industry Association, North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership, O‘ahu Resource Conservation & Development Council, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and a few individuals supported this measure. The Department of Agriculture supported the intent of this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 463, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair