STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1499

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 609

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 609, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Agriculture for costs of its meat inspection program, including the establishment of three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) meat inspector positions.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Mayor of the County of Maui, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and seven individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from Animal Rights Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that food safety is essential to the public health, safety, and welfare. Your Committee recognizes that the inspection of livestock prior to slaughter, which will be facilitated by this measure, is necessary to ensure the safety of the State's meat supply.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Expanding the scope of the measure's appropriation to include the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) inspector program supervisor position; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 609, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 609, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair