STAND. COM. REP. NO.  448

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 1611

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1611 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABELING OF MEAT AND FISH PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure the health and safety of consumers of meat and fish products by providing for the full disclosure of the various processes to which meat and fish sold as fresh product are subject prior to being packaged and displayed for sale.

     The Department of Agriculture (DOA) supported the intent of this bill.  The Grocery Manufacturers Association opposed this measure.  The Department of Health submitted comments.

     Your Committee notes that no resounding testimony in support of this bill was received during its hearing.  However, DOA brought up concerns regarding the possibility that meat and fish products treated with gas to enhance their appearance could look fresh even when there are high levels of bacteria present. 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and style

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1611, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1611, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair