THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	869
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to agriculture.

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

SECTION 1. Section 147-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§147-7 Inspection and classification of agricultural commodities; fees. (a) The department may contract with the United States Department of Agriculture for obtaining the services of a supervising inspector employed by the federal department and the establishment of a cooperative inspection service with the United States government. The department, or the supervising inspector with the approval of the department, may designate any competent employee or agent of the department as an inspector to inspect or classify agricultural commodities in accordance with rules of the department, and at the time and places designated by the supervising inspector or the department.

(b) The inspectors shall be authorized to inspect or classify agricultural commodities at the request of persons having a financial interest in the commodities, or as mandated by subsection (d), and to ascertain and certify to the persons the grade, classification, quality, condition, or origin of them and other pertinent facts.

(c) The department may fix, assess, and collect or cause to be collected fees for the services when they are performed by employees of the department. The fees shall be on a uniform basis and in an amount reasonably necessary to cover the cost of inspection and the administration of this part; provided that the department may prescribe a reasonable charge for traveling expenses and extraordinary services when the performance of the services involves unusual cost in their performance. No fee shall be charged for an inspection unless the inspection was requested by a person having a financial interest in the inspected commodity[.] or the inspection was mandated by subsection (d).

(d) All Hawaii grown green coffee beans shall be inspected and certified by the department for grade and origin unless otherwise specified by rules of the department; provided that this subsection shall not apply to shipments of one hundred pounds or less.

[(d)] (e) The department may adopt rules establishing the requirements, procedures, restrictions, and other criteria necessary for establishing a program of self inspection and certification of agricultural commodities."

SECTION 2. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Green Coffee; Mandatory Certification; Department of Agriculture; Exemption

Description:

Requires that the department of agriculture inspect and certify all Hawaii-grown green coffee beans for grade and origin, except for shipments of one hundred pounds or less.

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