STAND. COM. REP. NO. 736

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 520

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 520, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, Institute for Justice, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the escalating cost of living places great financial burdens on local residents to afford basic necessities, such as food. Your Committee further finds that cottage food operations, which produce homemade food sold directly to consumers, provide an opportunity for residents to access fresh food at affordable prices. However, under existing law, cottage foods are not broadly available to consumers due to regulatory barriers. This measure establishes a regulatory framework that allows consumers to access cottage foods.

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. 520, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair