STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3186

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1989

H.D. 2

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 Agriculture and Environment and Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1989, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

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

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

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Westin A. Price Foundation, Pet Stop, LLC; Coleman Scientific Consulting; and thirty-one individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committees find 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 Committees further find that although there is a consumer demand for raw milk due to its health benefits and taste, the sale of raw milk in any form, including raw goat milk for pet consumption, is currently prohibited in the State. Your Committees recognize that raw milk can be produced safely and its sale is permitted in many other states. This measure expands opportunities for producers and consumers of fresh, unpasteurized milk in the State.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 Agriculture and Environment and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1989, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1989, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair