Bill > SB1230

This bill creates a legal exemption for hunters to donate wild game meat, specifically non-native species like axis deer, to charitable, religious, or nonprofit organizations for distribution to people in need. The bill modifies existing Hawaii Revised Statutes to allow hunters to transport and donate wild game meat without being subject to standard meat inspection and transportation regulations, with some important conditions. These conditions include that the wild game cannot be combined with other regulated meat products (such as those covered by federal meat inspection acts), and transportation is limited to moving the wild game between the hunting location, processing establishment, and the charitable organization. The bill defines "wild game" as non-indigenous species and includes their carcasses, parts, and derived meat products. While creating this exemption, the bill also preserves the state health and agriculture departments' authority to regulate, inspect, or ban donated foods for human consumption. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2050, providing a long-term framework for wild game meat donation in Hawaii.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1230&year=2025