Bill Text: HI HCR131 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requesting The Department Of Agriculture To Conduct A Study To Recommend Appropriate Labeling Requirements For Hawaii-grown Tea.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-04-11 - Referred to AEN. [HCR131 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2023-HCR131-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	131
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of agriculture to conduct a study TO RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE labeling requirements for Hawaii-grown tea.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, locally-grown tea is a relatively new crop for the agricultural industry in Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2015, there were approximately two dozen tea farms in Hawaii, a small fraction of which operated as steady businesses consistently producing high-quality tea; and

 

     WHEREAS, most locally-grown tea comes from the east side of Hawaii Island, which is populated with small tea gardens that grow and process one hundred percent Hawaii teas; and

 

     WHEREAS, since all tea in the State is essentially grown on volcanic soil, the leaves take on a distinct flavor-generally bright and clear, with elements of citrus and a subtle honey-esque sweetness; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii-grown tea has the potential to become a premium agricultural commodity like Kona coffee; and

 

     WHEREAS, to protect and promote the viability of the budding tea industry in Hawaii, labeling requirements should be implemented; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture is best suited to study and recommend appropriate labeling requirements for Hawaii-grown tea; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Agriculture is requested to conduct a study to recommend appropriate labeling requirements for Hawaii-grown tea; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that when conducting the study, the Department of Agriculture is requested to make the following recommendations:

 

     (1)  Labeling requirements, including:

 

          (A)  The identity statements for tea that contains one hundred percent Hawaii-grown tea by weight;

 

          (B)  The identity statements for tea consisting of a blend of one or more Hawaii-grown teas and tea not grown in Hawaii; and

 

          (C)  Specific details for the identity statement, including type size and location on packages;

 

     (2)  Penalties for violations of the labeling requirements; and

 

     (3)  Recordkeeping requirements for growers, manufacturers, or other persons who package tea or tea leaves, including records on the volume and geographic origin or regional origin of teas purchased and sold; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting the study, the Department of Agriculture is also requested to:

 

     (1)  Estimate the increased trade value of Hawaii-grown tea that could result from requiring geographic origin disclosures on packages containing one hundred percent Hawaii-grown tea and packages containing a blend of one or more Hawaii-grown teas and tea not grown in Hawaii; and

 

     (2)  Perform a cost analysis of implementing the labeling and recordkeeping requirements for Hawaii-grown tea; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Agriculture is requested to submit its study, including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Hawaii-grown Tea; Labeling Requirements; Study; Department of Agriculture