THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2398
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		S.D. 1
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 fruit 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 such healthy dietary options; however, high cost and poor quality often make this difficult.

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 further finds 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 such a program was supported by community and scientific groups. Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to develop and administer a local health food incentive program promoting the purchase of 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‑   Local health food incentive program; special fund. (a) There is established a local health food 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 and other direct food retailers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program shall receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $20 per month to be used exclusively for purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables at a farmers' market or other direct food retailer. "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 local health food 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 local health food 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 local health food incentive program."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to be deposited into the local health food incentive program special fund.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the local health food incentive program special fund the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for administration of the local health food 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, 2018.

Report Title:

Department of Agriculture; SNAP; Farmers Markets; Local Health Food Incentive Program; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the Department of Agriculture to create a local health food dollar-for-dollar matching program for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the local health food incentive program special fund. (SD1)

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