STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1788

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.C.R. No. 223

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Lower & Higher Education, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 223 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO OFFER VEGETARIAN MEAL OPTIONS IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT LEAST ONCE WEEKLY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Department of Education offer vegetarian meal options in all public schools at least once weekly to promote a healthy lifestyle and environmental consciousness for Hawaii's youth.

The Department of Education, Hawaii State Teachers Association, 350.org Hawaii, Good Food Movement, Take Flight Digital Ltd, Animal Rights Hawaii, We Are One, and numerous individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Department of Education is requested to provide weekly vegetarian options for lunch meals only;

(2) Indicating that offering vegetarian meals may increase demand for local greens and promote local farming; and

(3) Requesting that weekly vegetarian lunch meals provided by the Department of Education be based on healthy greens or similar quality fruits and vegetables.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Lower & Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 223, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 223, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Lower & Higher Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair