Bill > HB1291

This bill expands legal protections for Hawaii's coffee industry by amending existing law to address coffee counterfeiting, specifically targeting the false labeling of roasted coffee. Currently, Hawaii's coffee is a valuable agricultural crop worth up to $64.3 million annually, and the legislation aims to protect farmers from fraud that can devalue their high-quality product. The bill broadens the definition of false labeling to include roasted coffee, in addition to previously covered forms like green, cherry, and parchment coffee. It establishes a mandatory minimum fine of $7,500 for each separate offense of falsely labeling coffee as Hawaii-grown, with the fine being non-suspendable and non-waivable. The law defines specific geographic origins for Hawaii-grown coffee, including districts and islands like Kona, Maui, and Oahu. By creating stricter penalties and expanding the scope of what constitutes false labeling, the bill seeks to deter fraudulent practices that misrepresent the origin of coffee and potentially harm Hawaii's reputation for producing premium coffee. The legislation will take effect on July 1, 2025, and does not impact rights, penalties, or proceedings that existed prior to its implementation.