STAND. COM. REP. NO. 192

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1382

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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 1382 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow for the donation of livestock or wild game meat as food, under certain conditions; and

(2) Establish a Meat Processing Task Force to develop and implement a plan to expand the meat processing capacity in Hawaii to allow for meat from axis deer and other wild game to be processed for distribution by nonprofit food distribution services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; one member of the Maui County Council; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farmers Union United; Food+ Policy Internship 2023; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Animal Rights Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that wild game, including invasive and feral species like axis deer and wild pigs, could provide a significant source of food, specifically protein, for Hawaii residents in need.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the members of the Meat Processing Task Force will choose a chairperson from among themselves;

(2) Changing its effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1382, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1382, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair