STAND. COM. REP. NO.  337-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2960

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns, to which was referred H.B. No. 2960 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIQUOR,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve Hawaii's liquor laws and prevent misrepresentation of liquor products that are not made in Hawaii by:

     (1)  Requiring liquor labeled "Hawaii" or certain other references to Hawaii to be wholly manufactured in the state;

     (2)  Allowing the holder of a liquor manufacturer's license to sell liquor made from cane for private use and consumption; and

     (3)  Removing the stipulation that no liquor be consumed on the liquor manufacturer's premises except as authorized by the Liquor Commission.

     Haleakala Distillers and many concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  Maui Brewing Co., supported this measure with amendments.  The Departments of Liquor Control of the Counties if Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai, and the City and County of Honolulu Liquor Commission opposed this bill, recommending an amendment.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Providing that labeling requirements for vineyards and wineries operating in the state shall only require compliance with the standards of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau; and

     (2)  Reinstating the stipulation that no liquor be consumed on the liquor manufacturer's premises except as authorized by the Liquor Commission, as vineyards and wineries in the state would not be able to offer wine tasting.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2960, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2960, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair