STAND. COM. REP. NO. 835-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1568

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1568, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the law that requires all state departments to ensure that a certain percentage of food that is purchased is locally grown and consists of fresh local agricultural products or local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products, to:

(1) Apply only to the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, Department of Defense, and University of Hawaii System for food purchased for public schools, youth campuses, public hospitals, public prisons, and University of Hawaii facilities;

(2) Clarify that these purchasing requirements do not encompass departmental or university staff travel expenses, office staff procurement, and other staff meals separate from each of the covered state entities' offered meal services or programs; and

(3) Require each applicable state entity to annually report to the Legislature on its progress toward meeting established benchmarks.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, University of Hawai‘i System, Department of Public Safety, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Food+ Policy Internship 2022, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, and two individuals.

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. 1568, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair