STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1264

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1334

H.D. 3

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1334, H.D. 3, 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 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 Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Hawaii Food Industry Association.

Your Committee finds that axis deer are an invasive species that require significant efforts be put towards population control to protect the State's agricultural lands and natural ecosystems. Axis deer are therefore an optimal, plentiful source of affordable, locally sourced meat. Simplifying the process to donate axis deer meat will incentivize individuals to participate in population control of the species while funneling aid to those in need. This measure will address food insecurity in the State by exempting the donation of wild game meat or meat products, including axis deer, to certain organizations for the purpose of feeding those in need from certain regulations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1334, H.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1334, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair