CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 516

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 516, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEMP,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require that the identity statement used for labeling or advertising hemp products identify the percentage of Hawaii-grown and Hawaii-processed hemp and hemp of other origins contained in hemp products; and

(2) Allow the use of the term "All Hawaiian" for hemp products in which one hundred percent of the hemp is grown and processed in the State.

Your Committee on Conference finds that there is no existing law that requires hemp producers to disclose the origin of the hemp in their products. While hemp in Hawaii is recognized as a versatile agricultural commodity with the potential to diversify the State's economy, hemp farming and production has proliferated across the nation and the State's hemp farmers faces fierce competition from out-of-state growers and producers. Therefore, this measure requires that hemp products advertise the percentage of Hawaii-grown and Hawaii-processed hemp as well as hemp of other origins. Furthermore, this measure allows for the use of the term "All Hawaiian" for hemp products that contain one hundred percent of hemp grown and processed in the State. This measure will enhance the appeal of products that contain Hawaii hemp by increasing transparency for consumers that are interested in supporting local businesses.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 516, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 516, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES Co-Chair	____________________________ MIKE GABBARD Chair
____________________________ MARK M. NAKASHIMA Co-Chair	____________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE Co-Chair