STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3766

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1334

H.D. 3

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1334, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to exempt the donation of wild game meat or meat products, including axis deer, to a charitable, religious, or nonprofit organization for the purpose of feeding needy individuals from certain laws regarding the inspection and transportation of meat.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and one individual.

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

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Your Committees find that invasive species, including axis deer, threaten the State's ecosystems and agricultural lands, causing significant economic hardship for local farmers who are forced to invest in costly protection to prevent the loss of crops. Despite these problems, axis deer represent a potential local and readily available source of protein. Ready access to safe and nutritious food is a social determinant of health. This measure will eliminate barriers to the donation of wild game meat, supporting the hunting of invasive, wild game to address environmental and social needs.

Your Committees note that this measure does not expressly require separate processing facilities for wild game meat, so cross-contamination is a valid concern and the substantive Committee Chairs ought to discuss and evaluate this matter should this measure be addressed during the Conference.

Your Committees have amended this measure by 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 Judiciary and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1334, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1334, H.D. 3, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair