S.B. 1142 Summary

• Establishes a food safety and security program within the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to provide training, certification, and support to the agriculture industry and coordinate with state and federal agencies.

• Program objectives include helping Hawaii's agricultural industry achieve food safety in a cost-effective manner, integrating food safety with biosecurity and quality assurance, and responding to federal food safety regulations.

• Authorizes the department to establish port facilities for inspection, quarantine, fumigation, and treatment of agricultural commodities, and to develop educational programs for industry compliance with food safety laws.

• Amends Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes to authorize the department to adopt rules governing production, processing, and distribution of food products and agricultural commodities to meet state and federal food safety standards.

• Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2011-2012 to support the food safety and security program, effective July 1, 2050.