STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1604

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 606

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 606, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEAT PROCESSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the interagency development of and appropriation of moneys for the implementation of a plan to expand meat processing capacity in the State to allow for meat from axis deer and other wild game to be processed for distribution by nonprofit food distribution services.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Mayor of the County of Maui, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Maui Chamber of Commerce, and six individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and CountryTalkStory.com.

Your Committee finds that axis deer are an invasive species that pose a continuing threat to Hawaii's environment. However, your Committee recognizes that axis deer could provide significant quantities of meat as a protein source for nonprofit food distribution services. Accordingly, your Committee finds that an effort to expand the State's meat processing capacity, as proposed by this measure, is a necessary step in making more wild game meat available to the public.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 606, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 606, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair