STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1241

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 1223

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 1223, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAII MADE PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect consumers from false or misleading advertising and preserve the credibility of the "Made in Hawaii" label by:

     (1)  Prohibiting the use of the phrase "Made in Hawaii" as an advertising or media tool for items unless the items meet specified criteria; and

     (2)  Directing the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to convene a working group composed of interested stakeholders to:

          (A)  Identify labeling issues relating to the Hawaii-Made Products law; and

          (B)  Propose workable solutions including solutions for enforcement.

     DOA, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, and Creations of Hawaii supported this bill.

     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 S.B. No. 1223, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair