STAND. COM. REP. NO. 694-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1525

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1525, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROCUREMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to update the reporting requirements for state departments in meeting programmatic goals for the purchase and procurement of locally sourced products.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Local Food Coalition; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Hawai‘i Farm to School Hui; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Ulupono Initiative.

Your Committee finds that supporting local businesses and encouraging the production and use of local agriculture ensures a thriving local economy. Your Committee further finds that, to facilitate these goals, the State enacted Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, which established a thirty percent goal for locally sourced products in school meals by 2030, and Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, which established graduating goals for the purchase of local produce up to 2050. Pursuant to both Acts, state agencies are required to report on their progress toward attaining certain benchmarks each year. This measure will further clarify the reporting requirements for state agencies.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1525, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair