STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1384

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1250

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1250, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Impose labeling requirements for mamaki tea grown in the State; and

(2) Appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture to administer the mamaki tea labeling requirements.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Sustainable Farms, and three individuals.

Your Committees find that mamaki is a plant that is endemic to Hawaii. The leaves of mamaki can be brewed into an herbal tea that is high in anti-oxidants and has a number of health benefits, such as helping to reduce high blood pressure. The mamaki tea industry is a new, yet quickly growing industry. This measure protects the mamaki tea industry from deceptive or misleading labeling.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1250, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair