Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2666, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to create a seal of quality program for fresh and processed agricultural products which are produced within the State.

The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii Agricultural Research Center, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Pineapple Growers Association of Hawaii, Maui County Farm Bureau, Meadow Gold Dairies, Del Monte, and Jo Ann Johnston and Co. submitted testimony in support of this bill. The Department of Agriculture (DOA) submitted testimony in support of this bill with proposed amendments. The Department of Budget and Finance submitted comments on this bill.

Your Committee notes that DOA has proposed amendments to this bill, including requiring, rather than allowing, a nonprofit corporation contracted for this program to develop and implement marketing programs and issue licenses for the use of the seal. However, your Committee finds that these issues can be more effectively addressed by the Conference Committee.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2666, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.