STAND. COM. REP. NO. 952

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 463

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 S.B. No. 463, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GARDENS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to promote interactive, hands-on education and better health through school and community gardens.

More specifically, this measure authorizes:

(1) The Department of Education to develop programs that encourage the development of gardens on school property; and

(2) The Hawaii Community Development Authority to develop programs that provide incentives to establish gardens in housing projects, communities, and schools.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Obesity Prevention Task Force, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Farm to School Hui, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Zero Waste Kauai, Blue Zones Project, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Oahu Farm to School Network, and two individuals.

The Department of Education submitted written comments on the measure.

Your Committee finds that the school and community gardens authorized by this measure provide interactive, hands-on educational environments for learning about nutrition and obesity prevention and a wide range of other subjects; provide outdoor recreational opportunities; and help to promote a sense of community and well-being.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) 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 S.B. No. 463, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 463, 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