HB 1723 Summary

• Establishes the Shellfish Sanitation Act to regulate shellfish growing, harvesting, processing, packaging, and distribution under the Department of Agriculture's Division of Animal Industry Aquaculture and Livestock Support Services Branch.

• Requires persons operating shellfish businesses to obtain valid permits from the division and establishes permit validity periods of one year with automatic expiration on June 30 each year.

• Classifies shellfish growing areas as "approved," "restricted," or "prohibited" based on sanitary surveys evaluating pollution sources, water quality, and environmental factors; prohibits harvesting from unapproved areas.

• Transfers all shellfish sanitation regulatory functions, employees, records, equipment, and appropriations from the Department of Health's Food Safety Branch to the Department of Agriculture, with transferred employees retaining civil service status and benefits.

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 321-11 to exclude the shellfish industry from the Department of Health's fish and fishing regulatory authority.