STAND. COM. REP. NO. 471-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1864

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1864, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriating funds for school cafeteria upgrades and appropriating funds for cafeteria staff training.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, one member of the Hawaii County Council, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Ho‘okāko‘o Corporation, Hawai‘i Farm to School Hui, Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Producers Cooperative, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Grow Some Good, and six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that school food programs play a critical role in improving the health of Hawaii's children by encouraging consumption of fresh, locally grown foods. Your Committee further finds that the funds appropriated in this measure will improve the ability of school food programs to serve students fresh, locally grown foods and is an investment in the health of Hawaii's children.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1864, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair