STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3106

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 126

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Education and Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 126 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO DEVELOP NUTRITIONALLY SOUND PUBLIC SCHOOL MENU PLANS THAT GIVE STUDENTS THE OPTION OF LOW-FAT, PLANT-BASED, AND HIGH-FIBER ENTREES AS PART OF A SCHOOL LUNCH MEAL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to develop nutritionally sound public school menu plans that give students the option of low-fat, plant-based, and high-fiber entrees as part of a school lunch meal.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and four individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committees find that many of Hawaii's children are either overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.  Many children consume too much saturated fat and sodium and do not get enough fiber, whole grains, fruits, or vegetables.  Since many children get half their daily calories at school, this measure will provide children the opportunity to lower the risk of becoming overweight and developing certain health conditions by providing low-fat, plant-based, and high-fiber entrees as part of school lunch meals.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 126 and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Health,

____________________________ JOSH GREEN, Chair

____________________________ JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair