STAND. COM. REP. NO.  490

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1051

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1051 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is permit the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules regarding the declaration of Hawaii geographic origin for agricultural commodities.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Kona Coffee Farmers Association.

 

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii produces a large quantity and wide assortment of agricultural commodities.  Commodities that are designated as being from Hawaii have a unique place in the market and often have a high market value.  Your Committee believes that, occasionally, unethical businesses have falsely marketed their agricultural products as originating in Hawaii.  Your Committee finds that this negatively affects the State's economy and reflects poorly on products that actually are produced in Hawaii.  Your Committee believes that it is important to protect the State's economy, agricultural industry, and the unique products that are genuinely from Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2112, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

 

     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 H.B. No. 1051, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1051, H.D. 1.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair