STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2671

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3340

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 3340 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIVESTOCK,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, in consultation with livestock industry stakeholders, to conduct a study to assess the effects of heat stress on beef cattle during interisland ocean transportation;

(2) Require a report to the Legislature; and

(3) Make an appropriation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.

Your Committee finds that investing resources into the State's agricultural industry will allow for greater diversity of economic industries and provide a stable, secure food source for Hawaii's people. Presently, there are few ranching operations that raise cattle for locally sourced beef. However, stakeholders have raised concerns that there is little existing Hawaii-based data that can be utilized by farming and ranching stakeholders to understand the feasibility of transporting beef cattle via interisland ocean transportation to support operations between the islands. This measure will help obtain data to expand cattle operations statewide while ensuring high standards of animal welfare and meat quality.

Your Committee notes its discussion with the University of Hawaii and the Department of Agriculture that occurred at the public hearing on this measure regarding the need for additional data on heat stress experienced by cattle. Presently, there are numerous studies readily available that have been conducted by various universities that examine the role of heat stress on cattle. Additionally, as information is accessible and available, your Committee notes additional concerns that an additional study on the effects of heat stress on cattle may be duplicative and does not reflect evidence of a problem. Your Committee further notes that, rather than an additional study on heat stress, funding could be utilized to address proper ventilation, care, and other needs during interisland transport.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an appropriation amount of $20,000 to conduct the interisland ocean transport study on beef cattle;

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2055, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3340, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3340, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

________________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair