STAND. COM. REP. NO. 641

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 48

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 48 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COFFEE LABELING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Clarify the labeling and advertising requirements for coffee that is grown and processed in the State; and

(2) Make necessary distinctions between the definitions of "geographic origin" and "regional origin".

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii-grown and Hawaii-processed coffee is a cornerstone of the State's agricultural economy. However, misleading labeling practices have allowed coffee blends containing only a small percentage of locally grown and processed beans to be marketed in ways that confuse consumers and devalue authentic Hawaii coffee. By enhancing consumer protection and preserving the integrity of Hawaii's premium coffee brands, this measure safeguards local farmers' livelihoods, reinforces consumer trust, and supports the long-term sustainability of the State's coffee industry.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider adding an appropriation of $65,000 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Measurement Standards Inspector V position to support and restore enforcement capability for all labeling regulations for Hawaii products.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 48, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 48, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

KIRSTIN KAHALOA, Chair