THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2802

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the Hawaii healthy food incentive program.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State faces an estimated $83,000,000 in annual costs related to food insecurity and hunger.  Compared to the rest of the nation, households in the State spend the highest percentage of their annual budgets on food.  The legislature believes that that every community should have access to fresh and healthy dietary options, but the high cost of fresh produce and healthy alternatives often makes that difficult.  This challenge is felt acutely by participants in the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program, which serves a low-income population that struggles to afford healthy food. 

     The legislature further finds that through the national double up food bucks program, now the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, the State can expand access to healthy foods for low-income residents who are eligible for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.  This program provides matching federal grant moneys to state programs that incentivize the use of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits for the purchase of fresh produce, such as the Hawaii healthy food incentive program.  The Hawaii healthy food incentive program, now commonly known as the DA BUX double up program, was created through the enactment of Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, and provides a dollar-for-dollar match to supplemental nutrition assistance program beneficiaries who purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, and proteins at participating farmers' markets, grocery stores, and community-supported agriculture projects.  By the end of 2021, DA BUX double up program was available at fifty-seven food retailers across ninety-eight market sites and pick-up locations statewide. 

     The legislature also finds that each dollar reimbursed to participating DA BUX food retailers for their issued discounts on local produce has an economic multiplier of 2.1.  This means that each program dollar issued for local produce incentives contributes $2.10 to Hawaii's economy.  DA BUX double up program supports local farmers; helps low-income families who receive double the purchasing power for healthy, Hawaii-grown produce; and benefits the State by keeping dollars in the local economy.  The legislature notes that a $3,000,000 investment by the State in this program would allow the statewide program coordinator, led by The Food Basket on the island of Hawaii, to apply for an additional $3,000,0000 in matching federal funds, totaling $6,000,000. 

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of agriculture to increase the benefits of the Hawaii healthy food incentive program to a wider portion of the State's population and the provision of matching federal funds to the Hawaii healthy food incentive program.

     SECTION 2.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or       per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to increase the benefits of the Hawaii healthy food incentive program to a wider portion of the State's population and for the purpose of matching federal funds when these funds become available to the Hawaii healthy food incentive program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

DOA; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program; DA BUX Double Up Program; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Declares that the general fund expenditure is exceeded.  Makes an appropriation to the Department of Agriculture to increase the benefits of the Hawaii healthy food incentive program to a wider portion of the State's population and the provision of matching federal funds to the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.