STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2111

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.C.R. No. 102

      S.D. 1

      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 S.C.R. No. 102, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO STUDY LABELING REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE USE OF HAWAII-GROWN COFFEE NAMES AND STUDY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE RULES RELATING TO INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION, AND AUDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR HAWAII-GROWN COFFEE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to protect consumers and the Hawaii-grown coffee industry by requesting the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to study:

(1)  Existing labeling requirements relating to the use of Hawaii-grown coffee names; and

(2)  The effectiveness of administrative rules concerning the inspection, certification, and audit requirements for Hawaii-grown coffee.

     The Hawaii Coffee Association, Maui Oma Coffee Roasting Company, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this concurrent resolution.  DOA supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Inserting additional discussion regarding the concerns of Kona coffee growers and processors as to the appropriate percentage of Kona coffee beans that a coffee blend should contain in order to bear the Kona coffee name;

(2)  Changing the deadline for DOA to submit its report to the Legislature to at least 20 days prior to the convening of the 2009 Regular Session, rather than the 2008 Regular Session; and

(3)  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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 102, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 102, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair