STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1710

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 131

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.C.R. No. 131 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE LABELING REQUIREMENTS FOR HAWAII-GROWN TEA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to conduct a study to recommend appropriate labeling requirements for Hawaii-grown tea.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau and Hawaii Volcanic Tea LP. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee acknowledges that the leaves of tea grown in the State's volcanic soil can embody a distinct and unique flavor of citrus and a subtle honey-like sweetness. These unique qualities of taste create the potential for Hawaii-grown tea to become a premium agricultural commodity. Your Committee further finds that labeling requirements for Hawaii-grown tea would help to protect and promote the viability of the budding tea industry in the State and that the Department of Agriculture is well suited to study and recommend such requirements.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 131 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

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CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair