STAND. COM. REP. NO. 746-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1517

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1517, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COFFEE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support Hawaii's coffee growers by:

(1) Requiring disclosure on the label of coffee blends of the respective geographic and regional origins and percent by weight of the blended coffees;

(2) Making it a violation to use a geographic origin in labeling or advertising for roasted or instant coffee blends that contain less than a certain percentage of coffee by weight from that geographic origin, phased in to a minimum of fifty-one percent;

(3) Prohibiting use of the term "All Hawaiian" in labeling or advertising for roasted or instant coffee not produced entirely from green coffee beans grown in Hawaii; and

(4) Appropriating funds to the Department of Agriculture for the Pesticide Subsidy Program and for one full-time equivalent position to conduct inspections.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from four members of the Hawai‘i County Council; Rancho Aloha; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Hawaii Coffee Association; Kona Coffee Farmers Association; Life of the Land; Hawaii Coffee Growers Association; The 4 Sens, LLC; Green Party Hawai‘i; Absolute Palate LLC; Lions Gate Farms; Huahua Farm; Honalo Farm; and eighteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Retail Merchants of Hawaii, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Coffee Company, Hawai‘i Restaurant Association, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Budget and Finance, Rusty's Hawaiian, Cassandra Farms, and two individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1517, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair