STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1139

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1051

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1051, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow the Department of Agriculture to establish rules relating to Hawaii geographic origin labeling of agricultural commodities.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Farmers Union United, Kona Coffee Farmers Association, Smithfarms, Athena of Hawaii LLC, Kona Pacific View, Kona View Coffee, and eighteen individuals.

 

     Your Committee recognizes the value of the "Hawaii" designation on agricultural commodities and finds that the Department of Agriculture has the authority to adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to further specify appropriate Hawaii geographic origin labeling of agricultural products.  Your Committee finds that no other place in the world allows for geographic indication labeling without a pure product.  Examples include Idaho potatoes, Florida oranges, California raisins, Napa wine, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Maine lobster, Olathe corn, and of course Champagne.  Geographical indications boost visibility and the reputation of a region, increasing tourism and allowing for multi-generational farms.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Replacing the term "Hawaii geographic origin" with the term "Hawaii geographic indication";

     (2)  Inserting language that defines "Hawaii geographic indication" as an agricultural product, excluding coffee and macadamia nuts, that is one hundred percent grown in Hawaii;

     (3)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  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 that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1051, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1051, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair