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
SR20 is a Senate resolution asking Hawaii’s congressional delegation to urge 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 explains that federal rules under 7 C.F.R. part 318 restrict the interstate movement of many Hawaii-grown plant products, including cut flowers, fruits, vegetables, and plants, unless they are specifically approved for shipment to the continental United States.
The resolution states that expanding the list of allowable commodities requires a USDA petition and pest risk analysis, but that Hawaii’s petitions are often processed alongside or behind petitions from foreign countries, causing long delays. It emphasizes that quarantine, inspection, and authorization requirements have limited Hawaii’s agricultural exports and created long wait times for growers seeking market access. The measure does not change state law directly; instead, it is a formal request for federal advocacy and administrative action, with copies to be sent to Hawaii’s congressional delegation and the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.
Impact
SR20 has no direct effect on Hawaii statutes or regulatory authority because it is a nonbinding resolution. Its practical impact is to direct state advocacy toward federal agencies and lawmakers, seeking changes in USDA processing and quarantine policy that affect Hawaii-grown agricultural commodities. If successful, the requested federal action could expand export opportunities for Hawaii farmers and reduce barriers to interstate shipment of certain crops and plant products.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad support for the resolution. It passed both the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee unanimously, each with amendments. The tone of the bill is strongly supportive of Hawaii agriculture and frames the issue as one of fairness and parity rather than partisan disagreement.
Contention
The main point of contention identified in the resolution itself is the federal regulatory structure, especially the USDA’s quarantine and pest-risk review process, which Hawaii argues places its petitions at a disadvantage compared with foreign-country applications. The bill also highlights the limited list of approved commodities and the long delays growers face, sometimes for years or decades. No internal opposition is reflected in the provided committee votes or transcripts, so the dispute appears to be with federal policy rather than among state lawmakers.
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.