Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Petition The United States Department Of Agriculture To Address The Lack Of Parity Between Hawaii And Other States And Territories Pertaining To The Export Of Agricultural Goods.
Summary
HCR27 is a nonbinding House Concurrent Resolution that asks Hawaii’s congressional delegation to petition the U.S. Department of Agriculture to address what the Legislature describes as unequal treatment of Hawaii compared with other states and U.S. territories in the export of agricultural goods. The resolution focuses on federal quarantine and pest-control rules that restrict the interstate movement of Hawaii-grown cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, and plants unless those commodities are specifically approved by USDA.
The measure explains that expanding the list of allowable commodities requires a USDA petition and pest risk analysis, and it argues that Hawaii’s petitions are delayed because they are processed alongside foreign-country requests, which are often prioritized. The resolution states that these delays and quarantine requirements have severely limited Hawaii’s agricultural exports and have left growers waiting years or even decades for authorization. It directs that copies be sent to Hawaii’s congressional delegation and the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.
Impact
HCR27 does not change Hawaii statutes or create new state regulatory authority; instead, it expresses the Legislature’s position and requests federal advocacy. Its practical effect is to urge Hawaii’s congressional delegation to seek USDA action on federal plant-quarantine and export-approval procedures that affect Hawaii agricultural commodities. If successful, the requested federal changes could expand market access for Hawaii-grown agricultural products and reduce export barriers for farmers and producers.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the resolution in committee, with unanimous votes in both the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee and the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, each passing the measure with amendments. The bill’s tone is strongly pro-agriculture and pro-export, reflecting concern about the economic burden federal restrictions place on Hawaii growers. No opposing testimony or recorded dissent is provided in the available materials.
Contention
The main point of contention is the federal regulatory framework itself: supporters argue that Hawaii is treated like a territory and disadvantaged by USDA quarantine rules, while the existing system is intended to prevent plant pests from reaching the continental United States. Another issue is administrative priority, with Hawaii’s petitions allegedly delayed behind foreign-country applications. Any disagreement would likely center on balancing agricultural trade expansion for Hawaii against biosecurity and pest-prevention concerns, though no specific opposition is shown in the provided record.
Same As
Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Petition The United States Department Of Agriculture To Address The Lack Of Parity Between Hawaii And Other States And Territories Pertaining To The Export Of Agricultural Goods.