|
THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
163 |
|
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
requesting the Department of the Attorney General to conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of existing STATE LAWS in addressing the false labeling of Hawaii-made food products.
WHEREAS, Hawaii's unique island characteristics, multi-cultural food history, and remote geographic location make its food products highly desirable around the world; and
WHEREAS, certain individuals and entities have sought to take advantage of this popularity by falsely labeling their goods in such a manner as to mislead consumers into believing that they were produced or manufactured in Hawaii, when they were in fact produced or manufactured elsewhere; and
WHEREAS, existing state laws may not provide adequate protection, relief, or recourse for local producers and consumers who seek to stop manufacturers from wrongfully and falsely labeling their food products as being Hawaii-made when they are not, and litigation to resolve these types of claims is costly and time-consuming; and
WHEREAS, legislation may be required to strengthen the existing regulatory framework and protect Hawaii's local food producers and consumers; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of the Attorney General is requested to conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of existing state laws in addressing the false labeling of Hawaii-made food products, including but not limited to section 480-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, that governs unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce; section 486-119, Hawaii Revised Statutes, that governs the labeling of Hawaii-made products and Hawaii-processed products; and section 708-871, Hawaii Revised Statutes, that governs the offense of false advertising; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of the Attorney General is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Attorney General.
|
|
OFFERED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Department of the Attorney General; False Advertising; Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices; Food Products; Study; Report