Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2630 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to protect Hawaii's agricultural products by:

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by Commodity Advisory Group, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Kilauea Agronomics, Limited Liability Company, Meadow Gold Dairies, Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, and Del Monte Fresh Produce (Hawaii). The Department of Agriculture and the Agribusiness Development Corporation supported the intent of this bill.

Your Committee finds that this measure will benefit local producers and manufacturers of fresh and added value local agricultural products in identifying, assuring, and promoting "local" products. Furthermore, this Program will increase resident and visitor awareness, while increasing the export marketing value of our state's unique and added value products. Your Committee also finds that the United States Department of Agriculture will provide a grant that will cover the start-up funds needed for this Special Fund.

Your Committee recognizes that this bill represents a collaboration between the public and private sectors, in which the former will be responsible for enforcing the Program, while the latter will provide the marketing initiative needed to make this Program a success.

Your Committee has amended this measure to reflect the private sector marketing partnership needed to effectively implement the Program, with the purpose of creating value and excitement for Hawaii's agricultural and added value products. Other technical, nonsubstantive amendments were made for purposes of style and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2630, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance, in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2630, H.D. 1.