STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2553

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2710

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2710 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to permit brewpub and small craft producer pub licensees to allow minors, who are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian of legal drinking age, on the licensee's premises.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Craft Brewers Guild; Maui Brewing Co.; Kauai Beer Company; Big Island Brewhaus; Honolulu BeerWorks; Waikiki Brewing Company; REAL a gastropub; Lanikai Brewing Company; Stewbum & Stonewall Brewing Co.; Kaua‘i Island Brewing Company, LLC; Kohola Brewery; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Liquor Commission of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that brewpubs and small craft producer pubs are popular community gathering places where people can meet their family and friends. Your Committee further finds that brewpubs and small craft producer pubs are not intended to promote mass consumption of alcohol; rather, these establishments offer customers a comfortable place to taste craft beer. However, your Committee notes that although minors are allowed to be in some craft beer establishments with a parent or legal guardian of legal drinking age, this is not consistent throughout the State.

Your Committee additionally finds that breweries and brewpubs are a growing business sector in Hawaii, and restricting families from being together at a brewpub or producer pub reduces the number of customers visiting these local establishments. This measure therefore permits brewpub and small craft producer pub licensees to allow minors, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian of legal drinking age, on the licensee's premises, which will increase the ability of local residents and visitors to experience Hawaii's local breweries, expand brand recognition for these breweries, and increase the market for all Hawaii craft beer.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that brewpub and small craft producer pub licensees are permitted to allow minors, who are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian of legal drinking age, on the licensee's premises until 10:00 p.m.; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2710, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2710, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair