STAND

STAND. COM. REP. NO.2967

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2630

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2630, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A SEAL OF QUALITY FOR FRESH AND PROCESSED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS PROGRAM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a seal of quality program for fresh and processed agricultural products that are produced in Hawaii. In addition, this measure establishes a Hawaii Marketing Alliance to develop and implement the program.

Testimony supporting this measure was received from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Agriculture Research Center, North Shore Farms, Waialua Farmers Cooperative, Meadow Gold Dairies, Del Monte, Commodity Advisory Group of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and Hawaii Papaya Industry Association.

Your Committees find that Hawaii's agricultural products maintain a distinct and valuable reputation for freshness, uniqueness, and quality. The worldwide market for agriculture products is highly competitive and strong branding is key to success. Therefore, there needs to be a uniform method of indicating that an agricultural product originates from Hawaii and carries with it Hawaii's valuable goodwill. This measure accomplishes this objective and further preserves and enhances the value and marketability of Hawaiian products.

Your Committees have amended this measure by replacing its contents with the Senate version, S.B. No. 2666, S.D. 2, which amends this measure by:

(1) Deleting the language which establishes the Hawaii marketing alliance;

(2) Authorizing the Department of Agriculture to contract with nonprofit organizations to assist in the development and implementation of the seal of quality program;

(3) Authorizing the Department of Agriculture to enforce the requirements of the seal of quality program and to examine the records of a business to ensure compliance; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2630, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2630, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing,

____________________________ RON MENOR, Chair		____________________________ JAN YAGI BUEN, Chair