STAND. COM. REP. NO. 849

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 593

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 593, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ALCOHOL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand the definition of "beer" to specify an alcohol by volume of no less than 0.5 percent and to include alcoholic seltzer beverages.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Beer Lab HI, Honolulu Beerworks, Maui Brewing Co., Lanikai Brewing Company, and Hawaiian Craft Brewers Guild. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the existing statutory definition of "beer" follows the traditional basic ingredients used in historical beer manufacturing. However, this definition does not adequately reflect the expansion of the craft beer manufacturing sector and is not in alignment with the federal definition. This measure will alleviate these inconsistencies.

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. 593, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair