STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 436-24
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2024
RE: H.B. No. 2127
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2127 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEAT PROCESSING,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and one individual.
Your Committee finds that axis deer,
an invasive species that poses a continuing threat to Hawaii's environment,
could provide significant quantities of meat as a protein source for non-profit
food distribution services in the State.
However, there is a gap between the hunters and these non-profit
services because of the State's limited meat processing capacity. This measure would develop and implement a
plan to expand the State's meat processing capacity to allow for the potential
use of wild game meat by non-profit food distribution services, strengthening
Hawaii's food sufficiency.
Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.
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. 2127, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2127, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair |
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