HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	609
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

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 also 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 high. 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 the meat inspection services program 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 to perform meat inspection services.

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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for costs for the meat inspection program 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 to perform meat inspection services.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000.

Report Title:

HDOA; Meat Inspection; Meat Processing; Inspectors; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for costs for its meat inspection program, including the establishment of 1 full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) inspector program supervisor position and 3 full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) inspector positions to perform meat inspection services. Effective 6/30/3000. (SD1)

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