STAND. COM. REP. NO.  872

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1628

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1628 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAII MACADAMIA NUT PRODUCT LABELING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance consumer awareness by requiring labels on macadamia nut consumer packages claiming that a portion of the macadamia nuts was grown in Hawaii to specify the percentage by weight of Hawaii-grown macadamia nuts.

     The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.

     Your Committee finds that this bill seeks to provide clearer disclosures of the amount and origin of the raw or processed macadamia nuts sold in packages and to protect the branding of Hawaii products.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying the penalties for violating the labeling requirements for macadamia nut packages; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1628, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1628, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair