STAND. COM. REP. NO. 745-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1499

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1499, 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:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to partner with a Hawaii entity to establish a Pilot United States Department of Agriculture Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices Food Safety Training and Certification Program to assist small- and medium-sized farms in obtaining the United States Department of Agriculture Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices certification; and

(2) Appropriate funds for this purpose.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Foodservice Alliance LLC; Piko Provisions; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Budget and Finance.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1499, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair