STAND. COM. REP. NO. 130-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2632

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2632 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Governor to issue a proclamation of pre-disaster necessity for the purpose of assisting foodbanking organizations to maintain food stocks for an emergency.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Foodbank, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

Your Committee finds that each disaster is unique and the cycle begins well before the disaster strikes and continues long after the winds and flood waters subside. To build its capacity to mount an effective disaster response, the State must invest in solutions that address all stages of the disaster cycle: preparedness, response, and recovery.

Your Committee further finds that this measure will enable the State to plan and prepare for adequate minimum food reserves without awaiting a proclamation of a state of emergency by the Governor. This measure also sets a ceiling of $2,500,000 in any fiscal year that can be used for this purpose. According to testimony from the Hawaii Foodbank, this annual amount will provide enough food and water for at least three days for up to one thousand households in the event of a disaster, taking into consideration the population it currently serves.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount and designating the Department of Defense as the expending agency;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests the Department of Defense to focus its disaster response efforts not only on planning for food stocks, but also on water and shelter requirements that may arise in an emergency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2632, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2632, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair