STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1062-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2619

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2619, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMEMADE FOOD PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Health to adopt rules for the regulation of farm kitchens producing homemade food products that are no more stringent than those for home kitchens producing homemade food products.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; Institute for Justice; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that homemade food operations provide important economic opportunities for small-scale producers while maintaining public health protections. Many small farms prepare value-added food products in kitchens located on agricultural land, yet these "farm kitchens" often face regulatory uncertainty despite posing public health risks comparable to home kitchens. Providing clear and consistent regulation for farm kitchens — while maintaining food safety, labeling, inspection, and enforcement standards — will reduce confusion, support local food production, and expand economic opportunities without compromising public health. Accordingly, this measure ensures that farm kitchens are regulated no more stringently than home kitchens, while preserving the State's authority to address higher‑risk food products.

Your Committee notes that the definition of "homemade food products" in this measure is not identical to the definition found in chapter 11-50, Hawaii Administrative Rules, because the definition is modified to apply to farm kitchens.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Codifying the rulemaking requirements for the Department of Health related to farm kitchens, rather than setting this out in session law; and

(2) 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2619, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2619, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair