STAND. COM. REP. NO. 531-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2449

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2449 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MANUFACTURED HEMP PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that the definition of "manufactured hemp product" includes hemp products specified in rules adopted by the Department of Health.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Agriculture; and Climate Protectors Hawaii. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Hemptuary Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the existing definition of "manufactured hemp product" inadvertently restricts the Department of Health from adopting new allowable forms that are not already in one of the currently allowed ingestible forms. This measure allows the Department of Health to evaluate and consider allowing other hemp product forms, expanding the types of products available to local consumers.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Including hemp-derived beverage or edible products under the definition of "manufactured hemp product";

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Health should be responsible for providing oversight and regulation of manufactured hemp products, as defined by this measure.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2449, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2449, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair