STAND. COM. REP. NO. 271-04

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.B. No. 1957

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns, to which was referred H.B. No. 1957 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to allow brewpubs to sell malt beverages for consumption off-premises. Among other things, the measure permits the sale to consumers of malt beverages that are:

(1) Manufactured on the premises, or manufactured by the owner of the brewpub at another location if the owner is licensed to do so; and

(2) In brewery-sealed containers not to exceed 1 gallon per container.

The Aloha Brewers Guild, Colorado Brewers Guild, Fish & Game Brewing Company, Kona Brewing Company, Sam Choy's Big Aloha Brewery, Waimea Brewing Company, and several concerned individuals submitted testimony in support of this bill. Retail Liquor Dealers Association of Hawaii/Liquor Dispensers of Hawaii supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that this bill would benefit the economy. However, your Committee notes that concerns have been raised about allowing brewpubs to manufacture, distribute, and retail liquor because these activities currently involve three different categories of licensing. Therefore, your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Judiciary to study the overall regulatory scheme for liquor licensing as it relates to the intent of this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1957 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Business Concerns,

 

____________________________

BRIAN SCHATZ, Chair