STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2157

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2801

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2801 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD SUPPLY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to identify sites throughout the State that are suitable for the development of slaughterhouses;

(2) Require the Agribusiness Development Corporation to plan, design, construct, and operate certain animal slaughterhouses throughout the State; and

(3) Appropriate moneys for the development of slaughterhouses throughout the State.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Agribusiness Development Corporation; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference; Hawaii Young Republicans; and two individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that the number of animal slaughterhouses in the State, and their respective capacities, are limited. If any existing slaughterhouse were to cease operations, the effects on the State's food supply, market, businesses, and consumers could be devastating. Your Committees further find that this measure can avert this potential outcome and help to ensure a sustainable source of animal protein for the State's consumers.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Adding axis deer to the list of animals to be harvested and processed;

(2) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2801, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2801, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair