THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	99
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to meat and poultry inspection.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State does not have a meat and poultry inspection program. The legislature further finds that instead of a state administered meat and poultry inspection program, the State relies on the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service under a cooperative agreement to inspect the safety and labeling of meat, poultry, and egg products produced in the State. Other states have their own state run meat and poultry inspection programs, and Hawaii would benefit to have its own program.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate moneys for a meat and poultry inspection program within the department of agriculture.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of agriculture shall establish, implement, and administer a meat and poultry inspection program. In establishing the program, the department of agriculture shall consider the following:

(1) Statutory authority and food safety regulations;

(2) Inspection;

(3) Product sampling programs;

(4) Staffing, training, and supervision;

(5) Humane handling;

(6) Compliance;

(7) Laboratory methods and quality assurance programs;

(8) Civil rights; and

(9) Financial accountability.

(b) The department of agriculture shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations relating to activities conducted pursuant to this Act, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session.

SECTION 3. 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 to establish, implement, and administer a meat and poultry inspection program within the department of agriculture.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Department of Agriculture; Meat and Poultry Inspection Program; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish, implement, and administer a meat and poultry inspection program. Appropriates funds for the establishment, implementation, and administration of the program.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.