STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1040

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1250

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 S.B. No. 1250, 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 City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change; Sustainability and Resiliency; County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development; County of Maui; Eleele Elementary School; Kalaheo Elementary School; 350 Hawaii; Aina Hookupu O Kilauea; Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii; Fresh Aloha Direct; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Appleseed; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Crop Improvement Association; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Foodbank; Hawaii Health & Harm Reduction Center; Hawaii Hunger Action Network; Hawaii Pacific Health; Hookipa Kauai; Kekaha Agriculture Association; Lanakila Pacific; Maui Food Bank; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Foodbank; The Food Basket; Ulupono Initiative; Young Brothers; and fifteen individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Farm to Families program may 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 secure food at a participating food bank.

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. 1250, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair