HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2142
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a need to expand Hawaii's meat inspection capacity. Consumer demand for locally grown beef and the axis deer population explosion in Maui county have created a lack of antemortem meat inspection capacity. The State's meat inspection program was discontinued in the mid-1990s due to cuts in budget and staffing mandated by reduction-in-force directives. Restoring and updating the meat inspection program will not only grow Hawaii's livestock industry but address the beneficial use of axis deer. Supplementing existing federal inspection capacity will also provide the livestock industry with greater access to the marketplace.

The legislature further finds that federal laws have changed and the state meat inspection program should be restored and updated to comply with new requirements, meet the needs of the State's diverse livestock industry and meet the demand of Hawaii consumers, and ensure the livestock industry remains a productive part of Hawaii's economic engine. Because Hawaii is an island state, transportation costs for a limited number of inspectors can be costly. Certification of local veterinarians should be explored and implemented, if possible, while meeting federal requirements.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for costs for meat inspection services under chapter 159, Hawaii Revised Statutes, including the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) inspector program supervisor position and three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) inspector positions.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the meat inspection program under chapter 159, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for costs for meat inspection services under chapter 159, Hawaii Revised Statutes, including the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) inspector program supervisor position and three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) inspector positions.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No.     , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $           or      per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Agriculture; Meat Inspection; Meat Processing; Inspectors; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for its meat inspection program, including one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) inspector program supervisor position and three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) inspectors.

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