Bill Text: HI HB279 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Task Force; Department of Agriculture; Food Safety Modernization Act; Food Safety

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [HB279 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HB279-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	279
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to agriculture.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The importance of agriculture to the State is reflected in article XI, section 3 of the Hawaii state constitution.  The legislature finds that it is important to identify areas of improvement for agricultural practices in order to strengthen the safety and security of the State's agriculture.  Recent cases of foodborne illnesses, such as the emergence of the rat lungworm nematode on the island of Hawaii, illustrate the need to understand the innumerable details involved in food production and in implementing practices that ensure food safety.

     On January 4, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).  The FSMA is considered to be the most sweeping reform of food safety laws in over seventy years.  It aims to ensure the U.S. food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it.  The Food and Drug Administration released two of the five major regulations tied to the FSMA on January 4, 2013. These regulations regulate food safety protocols for produce and manufactured foods.

     The purpose of this Act is to convene a task force in the department of agriculture to study and recommend to the legislature:

     (1)  The effects of the FSMA on the State;

     (2)  Methods to prepare the State for FSMA implementation and compliance; and

     (3)  Additional areas of improvement in agricultural practices to strengthen the safety and security of the State's agriculture.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established a food safety task force within the department of agriculture consisting of the following members:

     (1)  The chairperson of the board of agriculture, who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force;

     (2)  One additional member representing the department of agriculture;

     (3)  One member representing the department of health;

     (4)  One member representing the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii;

     (5)  One member representing the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation;

     (6)  One member representing the Hawaii Farmers Union United; and

     (7)  One member representing the Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association.

     (b)  The task force shall meet quarterly at a place and time to be determined by the chairperson of the task force.  Meeting notices shall be posted by the task force as required under chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and the task force shall afford all interested persons an opportunity to present or provide testimony at meetings of the task force.  The task force shall be dissolved on June 30, 2014.

     (c)  The task force shall study and evaluate:

     (1)  The effects of the FSMA on the State;

     (2)  Methods to prepare the State for FMSA implementation and compliance;

     (3)  Additional areas of improvement in agricultural practices to strengthen the safety and security of the State's agriculture; and

     (4)  Any other objective deemed necessary by the chairperson of the board of agriculture or the task force.

     (d)  A simple majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and all actions of the task force shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present.

     (e)  Members of the task force shall serve without compensation, and all necessary expenses, including travel expenses, shall be paid by the agency, organization, or department to which the member belongs.  No member shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the task force.

     (f)  The task force shall submit a written report of findings and recommendations, including any necessary proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Task Force; Department of Agriculture; Food Safety Modernization Act; Food Safety

 

Description:

Establishes the Food Safety Task Force within the Department of Agriculture to study and recommend methods to prepare for compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, and food safety management practices within the State.

 

 

 

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