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.

SCR 34 is a Hawaii Senate resolution requesting the state's congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve export parity for Hawaii's agricultural products. It addresses USDA regulations that treat Hawaii similarly to U.S. territories, requiring lengthy approval processes for most fruits, vegetables, and plants to be shipped to the continental U.S. Unlike other states, Hawaii's export petitions face delays because USDA prioritizes foreign country petitions over state requests. The resolution does not change laws but formally asks federal representatives to advocate for Hawaii's growers, who face years-long waits for export authorizations.