STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3303

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2619

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2619, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent 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, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that as production costs continue to rise, improving farm revenues and profitability is critical to the continued viability of the State's farms and ranches. One important pathway is to add value to raw agricultural products, which can increase farm revenue, reduce waste, create new business opportunities, and expand access to locally produced food. Authorizing farm kitchens provides farmers with additional flexibility to diversify their operations and develop value-added products as an additional revenue stream. This measure supports local food systems, rural entrepreneurship, and the State's goals of increased food self-sufficiency and economic resilience.

Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting the definition of "homemade food products" as this term is already defined in rules adopted by the Department of Health and its codification could limit administrative flexibility to amend the definition in the future.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2619, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2619, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair