STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3779

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2144

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2144, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Health to amend the definition of "homemade food products" under chapter 11-50, Hawaii Administrative Rules, and adopt certain administrative rules regarding the sale and delivery of homemade food products.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiian Goodness LLC; Hawaii Master Food Preservers, Inc.; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers; Food+ Policy Internship 2024; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Pukana Lā Farms; and thirteen individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committees find that the homemade food industry, which includes home-prepared food products that are sold directly to consumers, is a small but growing industry that is preferred by certain consumers who are mindful of responsible food sourcing, interested in a healthy lifestyle, and want to support the local communities and individuals who produce the foods that they enjoy. Your Committees find that despite the great interest in commercially available homemade food, the existing regulatory framework creates many challenges and burdens for those who cannot easily comply with the requirements established by the Department of Health. Your Committees find that by enacting this measure, the State can help support and grow small businesses, offer locally-made alternatives to imported brands, create local employment opportunities, and keep more money within local communities.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2144, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2144, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair