STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1387

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 512

S.D. 2

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 Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 512, S.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program, also known as the Double Up Food Bucks Program, administered by the Department of Agriculture 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 by:

(1) Removing the $10 per visit per day cap on the dollar-for-dollar match received by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries under the Double Up Food Bucks Program; and

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Health; Office of Planning; City and County of Honolulu Department of Community Services; City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency; AARP Hawai‘i; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Blue Zones Project; Sierra Club of Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Community Foundation; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Early Childhood Action Strategy; ‘Ohana Health Plan; Hawai‘i Pacific Health; Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i; Hawaii Association of Health Plans; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Hawai‘i Alliance for Community Based Economic Development; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; AlohaCare; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Kamehameha Schools; League of Women Voters of Hawaii; 350Hawaii.org; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Our Revolution Hawaii; The Food Basket - Hawai‘i Island's Food Bank; Foresight/Policy Analysis; Hawaii Foodbank; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; Lanakila Meals on Wheels; Parents And Children Together; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; We Are One, Inc.; Health Committee and Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services; Executive Office on Early Learning; University of Hawai‘i System; and American Heart Association.

Your Committee finds that the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is an integral part of a healthy diet and is central to preventing obesity and other chronic diseases. However, because of the high cost associated with fresh produce, access to fresh fruits and vegetables can be difficult for income-limited individuals. Your Committee further finds that the Double Up Food Bucks Program is an existing program that supports both local farmers and lower-income individuals by providing a dollar-for-dollar match to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries who purchase locally-grown fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets, grocery stores, and community-supported agriculture projects. This measure promotes public health through increased access to fresh produce and healthy proteins for lower-income individuals.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 512, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 512, S.D. 2, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair