THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2174
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to meat and POULTRY inspection.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State does not have a meat and poultry inspection program.  The legislature further finds that instead of a state-administered meat and poultry inspection program, the State relies on the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service under a cooperative agreement to inspect the safety and labeling of meat, poultry, and egg products produced in the State.  Other states have their own state-run meat and poultry inspection programs, and Hawaii would benefit from having its own program. 

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate moneys for a meat and poultry inspection program within the department of agriculture.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of agriculture shall establish, implement, and administer a meat and poultry inspection program.  In establishing the program, the department of agriculture shall consider the following:

     (1)  Statutory authority and food safety regulations;

     (2)  Inspection issues;

     (3)  Product sampling programs;

     (4)  Staffing, training, and supervision;

     (5)  Humane handling of animals;

     (6)  Compliance issues;

     (7)  Laboratory methods and quality assurance programs;

     (8)  Civil rights; and

     (9)  Financial accountability.

     (b)  The department of agriculture shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations relating to activities conducted pursuant to this Act, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session.

     SECTION 3.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or       per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish, implement, and administer a meat and poultry inspection program within the department of agriculture.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title:

HDOA; Meat and Poultry Inspection Program; Report; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish, implement, and administer a Meat and Poultry Inspection Program and annually report to the Legislature.  Appropriates funds for the establishment, implementation, and administration of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program. 

 

 

 

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