STAND. COM. REP. NO. 703

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 693

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. 693, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FOOD HUB PILOT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys for the food hub pilot program, including the awarding of grant moneys to qualifying food hubs.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, City and County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization, County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development, 350 Hawaii, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Climate Protectors Hawaii, Green Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Food+ Policy, Hawaii Pacific Health, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and Climate Protectors Hawaii, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Purple Maia, Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that the expansion of food hubs in the State has strengthened food security, lowered barriers to locally sourced products, promoted environmental stability, and grown the State's agricultural economy. Your Committee further finds that continued support for the implementation of the food hub pilot program, established pursuant to Act 313, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, will benefit consumers who seek more local food options and local vendors who struggle to meet that demand without additional support.

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. 693, 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