STAND. COM. REP. NO. 437-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2142

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. 2142 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture for its meat inspection program, including the establishment of one full-time equivalent inspector program supervisor position and three full-time equivalent inspector positions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that because the State's meat inspection program was discontinued in the mid-1990s due to cuts in budget and staffing, there is a growing need to expand Hawaii's meat inspection capacity. This measure will restore and update the meat inspection program, growing Hawaii's livestock industry and addressing the beneficial use of axis deer and other wild game meat.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2142, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2142, 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,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair