STAND. COM. REP. NO. 116-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1897

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1897 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COFFEE LABELING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure truthful representation of a coffee product's geographic origin by expanding Hawaii's labeling or advertising requirements to include ready-to-drink coffee beverages and any inner package or inner wrapping.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from a Hawaii County Council member, the Kona Coffee Farmers Association, Cassandra Farms, Rancho Aloha Kona Coffee, Kona Mountain Coffee, and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Coffee Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee notes that the Hawaii Coffee Association has expressed concerns regarding the definition of ready-to-drink coffee beverage. Specifically, the Association believes the terms "prepackaged" and "prepared" should be defined.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2150, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, should it consider this measure, to consider and take appropriate action on the concerns of the Hawaii Coffee Association.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1897, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1897, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

____________________________

RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair