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
SCR34 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting that Hawaii’s congressional delegation ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture to address what the Legislature views as unequal treatment of Hawaii compared with other states and U.S. territories in the export of agricultural goods. The resolution explains that, under federal quarantine and interstate movement rules, many Hawaii-grown plants, fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers cannot be shipped to the continental United States unless specifically authorized by USDA. It further notes that the list of approved commodities is limited and that adding new products requires a USDA petition and pest risk analysis.
The resolution argues that Hawaii’s agricultural exporters face long delays because USDA petitions from the state are processed alongside petitions from foreign countries, which are often treated as higher priority. As a result, growers may wait years or even decades for authorization to export additional commodities. The measure does not change state law directly; instead, it urges federal advocacy by Hawaii’s congressional delegation and directs copies to be sent to the delegation and the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.
Impact
SCR34 has no direct effect on Hawaii statutes or regulatory authority because it is a concurrent resolution rather than a bill. Its practical impact is to formally express the Legislature’s position and seek federal action on USDA quarantine and export-approval procedures that affect Hawaii agricultural producers. If successful, the requested federal changes could expand market access for Hawaii-grown agricultural commodities and reduce barriers to interstate shipment.
Sentiment
The available voting record shows clear support in committee, with unanimous passage in both the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee and the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, each with amendments. The resolution’s findings frame the issue as a longstanding economic disadvantage for Hawaii agriculture, and there is no recorded opposition in the provided materials. Overall, the sentiment appears strongly favorable toward helping Hawaii farmers and exporters.
Contention
The main point of contention described in the resolution is the federal regulatory framework itself, especially the USDA’s quarantine restrictions and the petition process for approving Hawaii agricultural exports. The bill highlights two related concerns: Hawaii being regulated similarly to U.S. territories rather than other states, and USDA petitions from Hawaii allegedly being deprioritized behind foreign-country petitions. No specific lawmakers, agencies, or stakeholder groups are identified as opposing the resolution in the provided record, but the underlying tension is between Hawaii agricultural interests and federal plant-health and quarantine requirements.
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.
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.