STAND. COM. REP. NO. 915-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1989

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1989, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RAW MILK,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the sale of raw milk, raw milk products, and raw milk dairy products directly to consumers for human consumption, with certain restrictions; and

(2) Authorize the direct sale of raw goat milk for pet consumption.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Weston A. Price Foundation; Kanalani Ohana Farm; and nine individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Agriculture; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that raw milk is milk that has not undergone the process of pasteurization, which is the process by which milk is mildly heated to destroy pathogens. Your Committee further finds that there is a consumer demand for raw milk in Hawaii. However, under existing administrative rules, milk is only available to the public if it has undergone the process of pasteurization. Your Committee notes that goat milk is similarly prohibited unless it has undergone the process of pasteurization. This measure is intended to provide consumers and their pets with more milk beverage choices.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1989, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1989, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair