CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 512

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 512, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to expand the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program, also known as the Double Up Food Bucks Program (Program), to make fresh fruits and vegetables more readily accessible to families or individuals in Hawaii who receive assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), by:

(1) Removing the $10 per visit per day cap on the dollar-for-dollar match received by SNAP beneficiaries under the Program; and

(2) Specifying that healthy proteins are eligible purchases under the Program.

Your Committee on Conference finds that despite the critical role that fresh fruits and vegetables play in a healthy diet and the prevention of obesity and chronic disease, access to fresh produce for income-limited individuals is difficult due to the high cost of fresh produce, especially for SNAP participants. The Program has been instrumental in supporting local families and farmers and participating local grocers experienced significant increases in sales of local fruits and vegetables paid with SNAP benefits. State investment into the Program will help to increase SNAP beneficiaries' access to fresh and health dietary options, further defray the high cost of healthy eating, and support the agricultural industry, which has been adversely impacted by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Further, state funds may generate significant leverage to stimulate economic activity and the State's objectives of doubling local food production by 2030.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 512, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 512, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ MARK J. HASHEM Co-Chair	____________________________ MIKE GABBARD Chair
____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE Co-Chair	____________________________ J. KALANI ENGLISH Co-Chair
____________________________ TY J.K. CULLEN Co-Chair