STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3940

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2307

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2307, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to provide education and support to businesses in the State regarding the United States Food and Drug Administration's industry guidance on colored sea salt.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Hawaii Food Industry Association.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee notes that sea salt manufacturers in the State seeking to manufacture and sell black sea salt and red sea salt are required to obtain approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration through the lengthy and expensive color additive petition process. Accordingly, your Committee believes that providing education and support to these sea salt manufacturers will help them to more efficiently navigate the petition process and ensure the continued operation of the sea salt industry in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2051, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2307, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2307, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair