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.

Senate Resolution 20 requests Hawaii's congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address unequal export rules for Hawaii's agricultural products. Currently, Hawaii faces stricter USDA restrictions than other states for exporting crops like fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers to the mainland, requiring lengthy approvals for each commodity. The resolution notes that Hawaii's export petitions are processed slower than foreign countries' requests, causing years-long delays for growers. This non-binding resolution seeks to improve export parity without changing existing laws.