Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2666, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs 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 within the State.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's agricultural products inherently maintain a distinct and well-deserved reputation of freshness, value, and quality in the market. In order to compete nationally and internationally, there needs to be a consolidated and uniform method of indicating that an agricultural product originates from Hawaii and carries with it Hawaii's valuable goodwill. This bill establishes a program that provides Hawaii's agriculture industry a labeling standard that preserves and enhances the value of Hawaiian products.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by expanding the types of moneys and contributions that may be deposited into the fund.

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