STAND. COM. REP. NO. 58

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 702

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 Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 702 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FARM TO SCHOOL PROCUREMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create a limited procurement exemption system for the purchase of goods and services by the Department of Education related to the administration of food programs at public schools that incorporate a geographic preference for unprocessed locally grown and locally raised food products.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Ulupono Initiative; Center for Getting Things Started; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Meats, LLC; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Blue Zones Project; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Local Food Coalition; FoodCorps Hawaii; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; Kauai Women's Caucus; Civil Impact LLC; Hawaii SEED; Farm to School Hui; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the State Procurement Office. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that geographic preference can play a major role in increasing student meal participation, supporting healthy lifestyles, and connecting students to local food. Your Committee further finds that sourcing food from farmers in Hawaii can also help provide fresher, more nutritious options at a lower cost and with greater efficiency. The geographic preference for local food proposed by the measure will also encourage greater incorporation of local agricultural products into state-run institutional food programs.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing the limited procurement exemption;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 702, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 702, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Education.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair