STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3273

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1499

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, 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 and intent 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 (USDA) Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) food safety training and certification program to help small and medium-sized farms obtain the USDA Harmonized GAP certification; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; County of Hawai‘i Research and Development; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Restore the Commons; MetroGrow Hawaii; Mahiku A‘o Mai Food Security Services; Hawaii Fish Company; and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii relies heavily on imported food to meet the needs of its residents and visitors. Increasing the amount of food produced locally in Hawaii would contribute to the State's self-sufficiency and produce significant economic benefits. However, complying with Food and Drug Administration regulations is often a barrier to food production for small farming enterprises, which do not possess the resources to obtain the required food safety certification. This measure assists small and medium farms in obtaining certification by requiring the Department of Agriculture to establish a food safety training and certification pilot program.

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. 1499, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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