STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2301

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2951

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2951 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IMPORTED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require all agricultural products sold to consumers directly or through wholesale to be displayed with a label or sign containing an identity statement declaring the products' geographical origin; and

(2) Impose penalties on vendors who display products with incorrect or misleading labels regarding their products' geographical origin.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Coffee Growers Association, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawaii Coffee Association, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Hawaii Farmers and Ranchers United.

Your Committee finds that local agricultural products play a crucial role in Hawaii's communities and the State's 2050 Sustainability plan includes a goal of increasing production and consumption of local foods and products. However, there have been instances in which vendors sell agricultural products with incorrect or misleading labeling. This measure increases consumer confidence in locally produced products by requiring geographical origin labeling and prohibiting the sale of products with incorrect or misleading labels.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2951 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair