STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1438

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.R. No. 38

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.R. No. 38 entitled:

 

"SENATE RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES THAT HELP LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS MEET FEDERAL FOOD SAFETY AND FOOD SECURITY REQUIREMENTS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to support efforts by non-governmental organizations to develop opportunities and solutions with local agricultural producers and value-added food processors to enhance food safety and food security practices in Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Kohala Center, Malama O Puna, East Hawaii Community Development Corporation, and eleven individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's food safety practices will be enhanced by the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act but that local agricultural producers are struggling to bring their operations into timely compliance with the Act's requirements.  Non-governmental organizations such as the East Hawaii Community Development Corporation are providing critical services to the State by assisting local farmers in meeting the new federal requirements for food safety despite limited governmental funds.  Your Committee finds that this body should support the efforts of these non-governmental organizations and their significant contribution to the State's food security and sustainability. 

 

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Naming 4 Ag Hawaii, Kohala Center, Malama Kauai, Ulupono Initiative, and the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui as additional non-governmental agencies that are assisting local agricultural producers in complying with federal food safety requirements, rather than recognizing the efforts of only the East Hawaii Community Development Corporation;

 

     (2)  Adding the Chairperson of the Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii County Councils and the Chairperson of the Honolulu City Council as additional recipients of certified copies of this measure; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 38, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 38, S.D. 1.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair