STAND. COM. REP. NO. 353-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2229

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 Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2229 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MICROENTERPRISE HOME KITCHENS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize microenterprise home kitchens to prepare and sell food directly to consumers without having to meet certain food establishment or food processing requirements, subject to certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Food Industry Association; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; CARES; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that the State's existing regulations for commercial kitchens can create significant barriers for small, home-based food operators who lack the space and resources to construct a commercial kitchen. Your Committee further finds that microenterprise home kitchens are a viable alternative for individuals who face financial or practical barriers that make it difficult to launch a larger-scale commercial food business. This measure provides a mechanism to enable food entrepreneurs in Hawaii to operate small-scale food operations while maintaining core public health protections through existing adulterated and misbranded food laws and the Department of Health's authority to address complaints and investigate foodborne illnesses and imminent threats to public health.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the definition of "microenterprise home kitchen";

(2) Prohibiting microenterprise home kitchen operators from selling manufactured cannabis products;

(3) Clarifying that the Department of Health may adopt rules to establish fines and penalties for violations;

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

(5) 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 Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2229, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2229, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair