STAND. COM. REP. NO. 861

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 606

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 606, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEAT PROCESSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with other state agencies, to develop and implement a plan to expand the State's meat processing capacity to allow for meat from axis deer and other wild game to be distributed by non-profit food distribution services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Aina Ho‘okupu o Kilauea, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Farmers Union United, Kohana Family Farms, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Maui Chamber of Commerce, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 606, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair