STAND. COM. REP. NO. 697-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2144

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2144, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Access to Local Value-Added Products Act and allow homemade food operations to sell homemade food products, under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Master Food Preservers, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; DBA MOWEE Fruit Candy; Institute for Justice; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and eight individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and one individual.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2144, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair