STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1508

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1382

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1382, H.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the use of certain invasive species as a sustainable food source.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Exempts from liability the donation of livestock or wild game meat by a charitable, religious, or nonprofit organization to needy individuals under certain conditions;

(2) Establishes a Meat Processing Task Force to develop and implement a master plan to expand meat processing capacity in the State; and

(3) Appropriates moneys for the Meat Processing Task Force.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, Maui County Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farmers Union United, and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that authorizing wild game as a donation-eligible food resource will create a beneficial outlet for food-safe meat harvested from invasive species. Your Committee further finds that wild game has the potential to serve as a significant source of protein for under-resourced individuals in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Meat Processing Task Force shall submit reports to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2024 and 2025;

(2) Clarifying that the Meat Processing Task Force will cease to exist on June 30, 2025; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1382, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1382, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair