HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2670

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is an integral part of a healthy diet and central to the prevention of obesity and disease.  Every community should have adequate access to fresh and healthy dietary options.  However, the high cost and poor quality of nearby fresh produce often make this difficult for some communities.

     The legislature further finds that, to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for beneficiaries of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, some states have enacted farmers' market matching incentive programs.  Under such programs, individuals who purchase produce at local farmers' markets using their nutrition assistance benefits receive additional benefits on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to a certain amount.

     The legislature concludes that farmers' market matching incentive programs have not only increased access to healthy dietary options, but have also helped invigorate local economies and address food insecurity.  Previous legislation introduced in Hawaii to establish a similar program was supported by community and scientific groups. 

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to develop and administer a farmers' market matching incentive program promoting the purchase of Hawaii-grown fruits and vegetables for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§141‑    Farmers' market matching incentive program; special fund.  (a)  There is established a farmers' market matching incentive program for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  The program shall be developed and administered by the department of agriculture.

     (b)  Beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program who use food stamps to make purchases at a farmers' market shall receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $         to be used exclusively for purchases at a farmers' market.  "Farmers' market" shall have the same meaning as in section 205‑2(d)(15)(D).

     (c)  There is established within the department of agriculture a farmers' market matching incentive program special fund, into which shall be deposited any legislative appropriations and any public or private grants, awards, or gifts for the purpose of the farmers' market matching incentive program.  Moneys in the special fund may be expended by the department to administer the program and to provide matching funds to beneficiaries.

     (d)  The department of agriculture may cooperate with private organizations to develop rules for the farmers' market matching incentive program."

     SECTION 3.  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 2018-2019 to be deposited into the farmers' market matching incentive program special fund.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the farmers' market matching incentive program special fund the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for administration of the farmers' market matching incentive program and to provide matching funds to beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

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

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Agriculture; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Farmers' Market Matching Incentive Program Special Fund; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to create a farmers' market dollar-for-dollar matching program for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  (HB2670 HD2)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.