STAND. COM. REP. NO. 330-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2015

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2015 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COFFEE LABELING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the laws on labeling and advertising of certain coffee products that are grown and processed in the State and make necessary distinctions between the use of the terms "geographic origin" and "regional origin".

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Kona Coffee Farmers Association.

Your Committee finds that clarifying the existing coffee labeling and advertising requirements to establish a distinction between "geographic origin", which refers to the geographic region where coffee is grown and processed in the State, and "regional origin", which refers to any coffee growing region of the world outside of the State, will protect local farmers, preserve the integrity of Hawaii's coffee brands, and ensure that consumers have clear information about the products they purchase.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Reverting to existing statutory language to clarify that the coffee labeling and advertising requirements for coffee blends and regional origins apply to coffee that was grown but not processed in Hawaii and to coffee that was processed but not grown in Hawaii;

(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.

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. 2015, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2015, 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,

____________________________

CORY CHUN, Chair