STAND. COM. REP. NO. 545

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1424

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1424 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEMP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require a producer of any hemp product to include in the identity statement used for labeling or advertising any hemp product:

(1) The percentage of Hawaii-grown hemp in the hemp product; and

(2) For any hemp product not from Hawaii, the origin of the hemp and percentage of the hemp from the origin.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Rancho Aloha, Maui Farmers Union United, Hawai‘i Hemp Farmers Association, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Agriculture's labeling enforcement capability was hindered due to reductions in force. Your Committee further finds that a measurement standards inspector position is necessary to address labeling enforcement challenges in various Hawaii products, such as inspecting and verifying the percentage of Hawaii-grown hemp and hemp of other origins contained in hemp products.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an appropriation of an unspecified amount for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) measurement standards inspector position in the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of labeling and packaging enforcement and inspection responsibilities;

(2) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

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. 1424, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1424, 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,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair