STAND. COM. REP. NO. 750-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2304

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2304, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate funds to the Department of Education for additional resources to help implement the Hawaii Farm to School Program, specifically to implement internal systems and controls to meet the State's local food goals in school meals; and

(2) Require the Department of Education to submit a report to the Legislature no later than January 1, 2023, that details a plan and timeline for implementing the Hawaii Farm to School Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Teachers Association; Ulupono Initiative; Local Food Coalition; Food+ Policy Internship 2022; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawai‘i Farm to School Hui; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Malama Kaua‘i; Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Producers Cooperative; Kipahulu Ohana, Inc.; Growing Together Edible Landscaping; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Green Party of Hawai‘i; Mala‘ai, and eleven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, and Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice.

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 H.B. No. 2304, 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