STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3056

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1590

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 Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1590, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand Hawaii's meat inspection capacity.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Agriculture to assess the steps necessary for the State to supplement federal authority to perform meat inspections within the State;

(2) Requires the Department of Agriculture to assess the steps necessary to transfer full authority over meat inspections from federal authority to the State; and

(3) Appropriates moneys to establish three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) inspector positions within the Department of Agriculture to conduct meat inspections.

Your Committees received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, and Maui Chamber of Commerce.

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

Your Committees find that the State's meat inspection program was discontinued in the mid-1990s due to budget cuts and staffing reductions. Your Committees further find that restoring and updating this program will help to grow Hawaii's livestock industry and facilitate the beneficial use of axis deer and other ungulates.

Your Committees note the testimony of the Department of Agriculture, which requested:

(1) The establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) meat inspection supervisor/VMO position; and

(2) An annual, recurring appropriation of $1,000,000 to pay for payroll and operating costs.

Your Committees respectfully ask that these requests be considered as this measure moves forward in the legislative process.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1590, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair