STAND. COM. REP. NO. 794

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 443

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 443, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Education to conduct a comprehensive cost analysis of the Department's food services and student meal programs to make recommendations regarding the ways in which the Department can increase the use of locally grown agricultural products and report to the Legislature on its results.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Farm to Keiki; Malama Kaua‘i; Local Food Coalition; Ulupono Initiative; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Blue Zones Project; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Department of Agriculture.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 443, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair