SR42.DOC

WHEREAS, the global tea market is a multi-billion dollar industry; and

WHEREAS, the specialty tea market is projected to double in the next five years; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii presently produces high quality tea, which is part of the specialty tea market; and

WHEREAS, the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources has recently discovered that Hawaii-grown tea (Camellia sinensis) has the potential to become a specialty crop for the State; and

WHEREAS, making tea a specialty crop for the State would mean increased employment and revenue for the State at a time when both are sorely needed; and

WHEREAS, the tea industry in the State should be encouraged to develop and be protected so that it may fully participate in the anticipated expansion of the world tea market; and

WHEREAS, it is important to ensure that tea grown in Hawaii is properly identified and protected by strict labeling requirements, just as coffee made from coffee beans grown in Hawaii is properly identified and protected by strict labeling requirements; and

WHEREAS, a working group is needed to discuss and make recommendations for labeling requirements for Hawaii-grown tea; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to establish a Hawaii-Grown Tea Working Group (Working Group) to discuss and make recommendations regarding labeling requirements for Hawaii-grown tea; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group be composed of the following members or their designees:

(1) The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism;

(2) The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture;

(3) The Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources;

(4) One Senator designated by the President of the Senate;

(5) One Representative designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(6) A member of the Hawai‘i Collaborators to be selected by the President of the Senate;

(7) A representative from the Hawaii Tea Society to be selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(8) Any other members having knowledge of commerce or the tea market designated by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to:

(1) Examine the existing labeling requirements relating to Hawaii-grown tea;

(2) Identify the problems with the existing labeling requirements for Hawaii-grown tea;

(3) Develop recommendations for stricter labeling requirements under state law and rules for the use of the "Hawaii-grown tea" name and other Hawaii-grown tea names;

(4) Determine the fiscal impact that stricter labeling requirements or a uniform national labeling requirement standard will have on owners and operators of tea farms in Hawaii;

(6) Develop ideas for a uniform national labeling standard and requirements for tea marketers to abide by for the use of the "Hawaii-grown tea" or other Hawaii-grown tea names; and

(7) Seek input from and collaborate with Hawaii's congressional delegation, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Food and Drug Administration on establishing and enforcing a uniform national labeling standard for the use of the "Hawaii-grown tea" or other Hawaii-grown tea names; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the working group select a member from among themselves to serve as Chairperson of the Working Group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Working Group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2013; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture; the President of the University of Hawaii; the Dean of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; the Hawaii Tea Society; and the Hawai‘i Collaborators.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Working Group on Labeling Hawaii-Grown Tea

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	42
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII