STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2634

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2888

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2888 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Access to Local Food Act to allow cottage food operation to sell cottage food products under certain conditions and upon receipt of a permit from the Department of Health.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Institute for Justice, Hawaii Master Food Preservers, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, one member of the Hawai‘i County Council, and thirteen individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Association for Justice. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

Your Committees find that local food production is integral to the State's economic development and food security. Homemade food sold directly to consumers constitutes a small but growing industry that can help the State achieve higher economic development and greater food security. However, Hawaii is one of only a few states that does not provide exemptions from Department of Health regulations for cottage foods. This measure provides exemptions from certain Department of Health Regulations to ensure the continued growth and productivity of the cottage food industry.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2888, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2888, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Health,

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair