STAND. COM. REP. NO 370

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                

 

RE:    S.B. No. 379

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Health and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 379 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand and create new categories for homemade food processing for sale to the public.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farmers Union United; Hawaii Farmers Union United, Kona Chapter; Koae Community Association; Steelgrass Farm; Kolo Kai Organic Farm; The Kohala Center; Sustainable Economies Law Center; Farmer's Marketeers; Local Food Coalition; Hawaii Farm Bureau; and twenty-three individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committees find that there are many talented, industrious food entrepreneurs in the State.  Local value-added food businesses provide a market for local produce, offer locally made alternatives to national brands, create employment opportunities, and hold the potential to keep more dollars circulating within Hawaii's economy and increase tax revenue.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting language related to the consideration of cottage food operations as a permitted use in residential areas for zoning purposes;

 

     (2)  Deleting provisions related to Class C cottage food operations, including operation, posting, permit, and inspection requirements; and

 

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

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 379, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 379, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Agriculture,

 

____________________________

RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair