STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1013-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2740

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2740, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to establish food waste and plant-based alternative meal goals by January 1, 2035, as part of the Department of Education's Sustainable Schools Initiative and include information on its progress in meetings these goals in its annual report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Climate Protectors Coalition, Aloha Harvest, Kahana Foundation, Hawaii Youth Climate Strike, Vegetarian Society of Hawaii, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaii Meats, LLC; Ulupalakua Ranch; Ponoholo Ranch Limited; Parker Ranch; and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and two individuals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Replacing the plant-based alternative meal goals with a goal of locally sourcing sixty percent of all animal proteins and sixty percent of all produce for meals in all public schools by January 1, 2035, and making conforming amendments to the Department of Education's plan development requirements to meet that goal and reporting requirements;

(2) Urging the Department of Education to incorporate Sustainable Schools Initiative elements into curriculum as appropriate; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2740, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2740, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair