Bill Text: HI SR137 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Requesting The Department Of The Attorney General To Convene A Working Group To Study The Effectiveness Of Existing State Laws In Addressing The False Labeling Of Hawaii-made Food Products, With A Specific Emphasis On The Legal Mechanisms And Costs Associated With Protecting The Brands Of Hawaii-made Food Products.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-04-04 - Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). [SR137 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-SR137-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	137
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the Department of the Attorney General to conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of existing STATE LAWS in addressing the false labeling of Hawaii-made food products.

 

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's unique island characteristics, multi-cultural food history, and remote geographic location make its food products highly desirable around the world; and

 

     WHEREAS, certain individuals and entities have sought to take advantage of this popularity by falsely labeling their goods in such a manner as to mislead consumers into believing that they were produced or manufactured in Hawaii, when they were in fact produced or manufactured elsewhere; and

 

     WHEREAS, existing state laws may not provide adequate protection, relief, or recourse for local producers and consumers who seek to stop manufacturers from wrongfully and falsely labeling their food products as being Hawaii-made when they are not, and litigation to resolve these types of claims is costly and time-consuming; and

 

     WHEREAS, legislation may be required to strengthen the existing regulatory framework and protect Hawaii's local food producers and consumers; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Department of the Attorney General is requested to conduct a study to determine the effectiveness of existing state laws in addressing the false labeling of Hawaii-made food products, including but not limited to section 480-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, that governs unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce; section 486-119, Hawaii Revised Statutes, that governs the labeling of Hawaii-made products and Hawaii-processed products; and section 708-871, Hawaii Revised Statutes, that governs the offense of false advertising; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of the Attorney General is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Attorney General.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title: 

Department of the Attorney General; False Advertising; Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices; Food Products; Study; Report