STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1830

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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 512, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, 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, 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 Health; Office of Planning; Executive Office on Early Learning; City and County of Honolulu Department of Community Services; City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency; Pioneering Healthier Communities of Honolulu; AARP Hawai‘i; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Hawai‘i Pacific Health; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Hawaii Association of Health Plans; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Local Food Coalition; Kamehameha Schools; ‘Ohana Health Plan; Neighborhood Place of Puna; Catholic Charities Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Community Foundation; Ulupono Initiative; 350Hawaii.org; Blue Zones Project; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Climate Protectors Hawaii; The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; AlohaCare; Early Childhood Action Strategy; Obesity Prevention Task Force; Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Foodbank; GreenWheel Food Hub; The Food Basket - Hawai‘i Island's Food Bank; Hawai‘i Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development; Parents And Children Together; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; HOPE Services Hawai‘i; We Are One, Inc.; Farm Link Hawai‘i; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, University of Hawai‘i System, and American Heart Association.

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 S.B. No. 512, S.D. 2, 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