STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3128

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2144

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2144, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Access to Local Value-Added Products Act to allow homemade food operations to sell homemade food products, under certain conditions.

Prior to the hearing on this measure, your Committee posted and made available for public review a proposed S.D. 1, which deletes the contents of the measure and inserts language to require the Department of Health to:

(1) Amend the definition of "homemade food products" in chapter 11-50, Hawaii Administrative Rules, regarding the Food Safety Code; and

(2) Adopt certain rules regarding the sale and delivery of homemade food product.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the proposed S.D. 1 from the Department of Health; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Master Food Preservers, Inc.; Makani Mills LLC; Institute for Justice; Hawaiian Goodness LLC; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and eight individuals.

Your Committee received comments on the proposed S.D. 1 from the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that expanding the definition of food products to include certain local value-added products, such as chutney, salsa, sauerkraut, barbecue sauces, catsup, relish, hot sauce, pickled mangos, kimchi, chili sauce, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, can create local employment opportunities and help support and grow small businesses by offering locally-made alternatives to imported brands. This measure not only fosters local entrepreneurship and innovation, but also increases food security in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adopting the proposed S.D. 1 and further amending the measure by:

(1) Amending the definition of "homemade food products";

(2) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose; and

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

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 H.B. No. 2144, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2144, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair