STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1596

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 767

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 767, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the efficiency of the Hawaii Farm to School Program, provide healthier food choices served in public schools, and support local agriculture.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Transfers the Hawaii Farm to School Program and Farm to School Coordinator from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Education;

(2) Establishes a goal that, by the year 2030, thirty percent of the food served in public schools shall consist of locally sourced products; and

(3) Requires the Department of Education to submit annual reports on the progress of meeting the goal.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Farm to School Hui, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Obesity Prevention Task Force, Ulupono Initiative, Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350Hawaii, Blue Zones Project, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, and ten individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that supporting the Farm to School Program and increasing the amount of locally sourced food served in public schools will help to promote healthy eating habits in children while also supporting local agriculture.

Your Committee intends that the Department of Education need not satisfy the thirty percent goal established by this measure during any year prior to 2030. However, your Committee hopes that the Department of Education will annually increase the percentage of locally sourced foods served in public schools, which will reassure this Committee and the public that, by the year 2030, thirty per cent of the food served in public schools will consist of locally sourced products.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that the percentages shall be calculated based upon the total cost of the food;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2021; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 767, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 767, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair