Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 3049, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to protect Hawaii consumers from mislabeled or potentially unwholesome honey products by establishing labeling requirements for imported honey.

The Hawaii Beekeepers' Association, Triple F Distributing, Inc., The Source Natural Food Store, C&H Farms, and a concerned individual supported this bill. The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation supported the intent of this bill. The Department of Agriculture (DOA) and Department of Health (DOH) submitted comments.

Although your Committee supports the intent of this bill, it is also cognizant of concerns raised by DOA and DOH regarding the appropriate state agency that would be responsible for implementing the regulatory provisions contained in this bill. DOH noted that it was not aware of significant health risks with respect to honey. In addition, DOH indicated that its Food Safety unit would require additional resources to carry out this bill's provisions, should this bill be amended to make DOH the regulating body. Your Committee respectfully requests the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce to review and address these concerns.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3049, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.