STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1516

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 428

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 428, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FARM TO FAMILIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate moneys for the Hawaii Farm to Families program to fund food banks in the State to purchase, store, and transport locally grown or produced food to communities that are experiencing food insecurity.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Office of the Mayor of the County of Maui; City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency; County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development; a member of the Kauai County Council; Makakilo/Kapolei/Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board No. 34; 350 Hawaii; Aina Hookupu o Kilauea; Hale Pono Boys and Girls Club; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farmers Union; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Foodbank; Hawaii Food+ Policy; Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center; Hawaii Hunger Action Network; Hawaii Pacific Health; Hawaii Public Health Institute; Hawaii Youth Food Council; Hawaiian Electric; Hookipa Kauai Food Pantry; Kapaa Elementary School; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Kupuna Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Maui Food Bank; Mental Health Kokua; North Shore Nutrition; Ohana Unity Party and the Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands; Purple Maia Foundation; The Food Basket Inc., Hawaii Island's Food Bank; Ulupono Initiative; Wong Hon Hin Inc., d.b.a. Huangs Green Leaf Products; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Farm to Families program will expand access to locally grown and produced food for individuals and families who are suffering from food insecurity. Your Committee further finds that, through the program, households in Hawaii that struggle to afford fresh produce and other food essentials can obtain food from participating food banks.

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 H.B. No. 428, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair