STAND. COM. REP. NO. 745

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1382

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1382, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow for the donation of livestock or wild game meat as food, under certain conditions; and

(2) Establish a Meat Processing Task Force to develop and implement a master plan to expand the 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 testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Agribusiness Development Corporation; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; one member of the Maui County Council; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Maui County Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Farmers Union United; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that there is a need for increased protein donation capacity to feed local under-resourced populations. Existing law prohibits the donation of meat. However, wild game, which in many areas of the State are invasive species, can be a significant source of protein to provide essential food to those in need. This measure allows for the donation of livestock and wild game meat.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the wild meat must be processed in accordance with federal law;

(2) Placing the Meat Processing Task Force within the Department of Agriculture for administrative purposes; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1382, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1382, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair