STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1446

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 430

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred S.B. No. 430, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII FARM TO FOOD BANK PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Hawaii Farm to Food Bank Program; and

(2) Establish and appropriate funds into and out of the Hawaii Food Assistance Program Special Fund for uses consistent with the purposes of the Special Fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Agriculture; Office of Community Services; Maui County Council; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Hawai‘i Food+ Policy; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawai‘i Hunger Action Network; 350Hawaii.org; Hawai‘i Farmers Union United; Obesity Prevention Task Force of the Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; Hawai‘i Foodbank; The Food Basket Inc.; and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's food banks have provided food to those in need throughout the years, including when many Hawaii residents experienced food insecurity due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Food banks were able to meet this increased need during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic due to a major increase in federal funds and philanthropy. However, funding from these sources has declined considerably, and Hawaii's food banks will need additional support in order to continue to meet the needs of Hawaii residents. This measure supports the efforts of Hawaii's food banks as they continue to serve residents, while providing local food producers with a market to support their operations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $3,000,000 into and out of the Hawaii Food Assistance Program Special Fund for uses consistent with the purposes of the Special Fund.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 430, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 430, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair