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Committee trims state hemp licensing from bill to avoid duplication with USDA oversight
Summary
Department staff warned that a state licensing regime would duplicate USDA responsibilities and impose fees; the committee amended SB 2178 to remove state licensing responsibilities and directed the department to prepare a state plan for USDA approval if the legislature moves forward with a state-run program.
During debate on SB 2178, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity witnesses told the committee that the USDA currently licenses and monitors hemp activity in Hawaii and that establishing a parallel state licensing regime could create duplicative oversight and added fees for growers. Committee members asked whether USDA would relinquish authority if the state enacted its own program and were told that Hawaii would need to apply for USDA approval to operate a state hemp program.
Citing concerns about overlapping regulations and the potential economic burden on farmers, the committee amended SB 2178 to remove DAB licensing duties and adopt technical changes. The chair said the office would defer licensing and associated responsibilities to avoid duplicative state-federal oversight while allowing the committee report to address appropriation language.
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