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Committee narrows hemp feed bill; agencies caution on pet‑food safety, farmers push for laying‑hen language
Summary
The committee advanced SB 2102 SD2 HD1 to authorize certain hemp‑derived feed ingredients after agencies and industry debated scope: lawmakers removed pets/horses from the definition and reinserted a federal trigger so ingredients approved by federal authorities would be allowed; Department of Health raised safety concerns specific to pet food.
The House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce advanced SB 2102 SD2 HD1 after a multi‑hour discussion on April 9 about allowing hemp or hemp‑derived ingredients in commercial animal feed.
Jun Turalio of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) submitted comments and the department committed to provide a memo clarifying which hemp feed products can be produced and sold in‑state under current rules. Matt Cronin of the Department of Health said his agency’s concerns were concentrated on pet‑food safety and potential regulatory overlap between DAB and DOH.
Farmers and industry witnesses urged broader adoption. Robert Fenz, a hemp farmer and former member of Hawaii’s Hemp Task Force, proposed striking pets from the bill while permitting federally approved livestock feed (noting hemp seed meal is approved for laying hens). Julia of Hawaii Fibers outlined AAFCO and federal approvals and urged reintroducing laying hens, citing research and the August 2024 AAFCO action and the 2025 publication accepting hemp seed meal for laying hens.
The committee’s amendment removed pets, specialty pets and horses from the definition and reintroduced a federal‑trigger provision so that products approved by FDA/AAFCO would be permitted in Hawaii. Members asked DAB to produce a memo confirming whether local growers can already sell hemp seed meal for laying hens and to outline testing and registration practices.
Why it matters: Proponents say allowing locally grown hemp ingredients could lower feed costs, expand markets for Hawaii farmers, and reduce imported feed dependency. State agencies cautioned that any expansion beyond currently approved uses must be accompanied by testing and clear regulatory responsibility to ensure animal safety.
What’s next: The committee passed SB 2102 with amendments; DAB agreed to provide clarifying documentation for the committee report about existing approvals and what would require new rule‑making.
