STAND. COM. REP. NO. 546

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 894

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 894, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Education to fulfill the local farm‑to‑school meal goal requiring thirty percent of the food served in public schools to consist of locally sourced products.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that nutritious, balanced meals made with locally sourced and local value-added products promote healthy dietary choices among students. This measure ensures the Department of Education can attain its goal of thirty percent of food served in public schools to consist of locally sourced products by 2030 and further supports the local agriculture industry.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 894, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 894, S.D. 2, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair