STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2726

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2584

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2584, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HONEY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to support and encourage further growth and productivity of Hawaii's agricultural industry by recognizing honey as an agricultural commodity.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and one private individual.

     Hawaii's honey bees are a critical part of the agricultural production chain and responsible for the pollination of many crops grown in the State.  Furthermore, local beekeepers produce one of the world's highest quality honeys.  Your Committee finds that recognizing honey as an agricultural commodity will provide the recognition and support needed to encourage and expand this industry.

     Your Committee recognizes the testimony submitted by the Department of Agriculture indicating that under cooperative agreements with various federal agencies, the Department is able to conduct inspections of a number of imported agricultural commodities and food products.  However, raw honey does not qualify under the United States Grade Standards for extracted honey; thus, the Department will not be able to conduct inspections on imported raw honey.

     Furthermore, your Committee notes that the Department of Agriculture was requested by the previous committee, the Committee on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs, to consult with the Department of the Attorney General to determine how grocers could appropriately be required to provide consumers with honey labeled with its country of origin.  The Department of Agriculture indicated to your Committee that they are currently working with the Department of the Attorney General to look at how a country of origin labeling program, such as the labeling program established in Florida, could be implemented in Hawaii.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date of this measure from July 1, 2008 to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion on this matter; and

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

     Your Committee believes that this measure, as amended, fulfills the intent of this measure, which is to support and encourage further growth and productivity of Hawaii's agricultural industry.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2584, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2584, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair