STAND. COM. REP. NO. 675

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1266

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture & Food Systems and Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1266 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD DONATIONS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow wild game to be donated as food.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Kanalani Ohana Farm; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Food Bank; and seven individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that across the State, invasive species such as axis deer, are creating havoc in agriculture and various ecosystems. Your Committees further find that wild game provides an inexpensive source of protein that can be used for Hawaii's residents in need. Your Committees believe that allowing for the donation of wild game to under-resourced communities will provide them with high-quality sources of protein while also creating an outlet for efforts to remove invasive species, such as deer, goat, sheep, and pigs, from the environment.

Your Committees have amended this measure by changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture & Food Systems and Health & Homelessness that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1266, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1266, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture & Food Systems and Health & Homelessness,

____________________________ DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair

____________________________ CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair