STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1061

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 390

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 390, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INCENTIVES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to promote the purchase and consumption of locally-produced, healthy food products by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Establishes within the State a dollar-for-dollar matching program, to be called the local healthy food incentive program, for beneficiaries of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to purchase Hawaii-grown produce; and

(2) Appropriates funds for the administration of the program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Health; Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii; Hawaii County Council; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Blue Zones Project; Hawaii Primary Care Association; The Food Basket, Inc.; Hawaii Island's Food Bank; Hawaii Foodbank; Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development; American Diabetes Association; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Get Fit Kauai; Pioneering Healthier Communities of Honolulu; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Kahoomiki; GreenWheel Food Hub; Mao Organic Farms; Local Food Coalition; Hawaii Public Health Institute; Hawaii Community Foundation; Hawaii Center for Food Safety; We Are One, Inc.; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center; American Heart Association; Aa Lii Farm; Lokoea Farms; AlohaCare; Maui Farmers Union United; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure will utilize federal matching funds to increase access to healthy, locally grown dietary options for beneficiaries of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program while also invigorating local economies and addressing food insecurity.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adopting the Department of Agriculture's recommended amendment authorizing the Department to develop rules for the program in consultation and cooperation with private organizations;

(2) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

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

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. 390, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 390, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair