STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2619

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2174

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 Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2174 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEAT AND POULTRY INSPECTION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Agriculture to establish, implement, and administer a Meat and Poultry Inspection Program and annually report to the Legislature; and

(2) Appropriate an unspecified amount of funds for the establishment, implementation, and administration of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and two individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Animal Welfare Institute.

Your Committees find that the State does not have a meat and poultry inspection program. Presently, the State relies on the United States Department of Agriculture's Food and Safety and Inspection Service under a cooperative agreement to inspect the safety and labeling of meat, poultry, and egg products produced in the State. This measure ensures a high level of standards for meat and poultry to protect the public health and safety of Hawaii's people.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment 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. 2174 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair