HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1745

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO SUPPORT HAWAII'S FOOD BANKS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's food banks have provided food to those in need for nearly forty years.  Currently, one in six Hawaii residents faces food insecurity, including nearly one in four children.  More than eighty-two thousand children in the State will struggle with hunger this year, and Hawaii is projected to have the second highest rate of child food insecurity in the nation.

     The legislature further finds that Hawaii's network of food banks ensures that those who are food insecure do not go hungry by:

     (1)  Sourcing food through donations, purchases, and federal programs such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) of the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture;

     (2)  Inspecting donated food to ensure that it is safe to eat; and

     (3)  Distributing food to those in need through a network of food pantries, community programs, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other eligible recipient agencies across the State.

     The legislature additionally finds that the State has partnered with four food banks (TEFAP food banks) to distribute food from TEFAP across the State through the department of labor and industrial relations' office of community services.  Hawaii's TEPAP food banks are the Hawaii Foodbank, Inc., which serves the city and county of Honolulu; Maui Food Bank, Inc., which serves the county of Maui; Hawaii Foodbank, Inc.'s Kauai branch, which serves the county of Kauai; and The Food Basket, Inc., which serves the county of Hawaii.  All of the TEFAP food banks in Hawaii follow the highest standards of food safety and maintain strict standards of food distribution and recordkeeping.

     The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic significantly increased food insecurity in Hawaii.  During fiscal year 2018-2019, the four TEFAP food banks collectively distributed 16,800,000 pounds of food.  During fiscal year 2020-2021, however, they collectively distributed 36,500,000 pounds of food--more than twice as much food as prior to the pandemic.  Food insecurity levels remain significantly higher and are expected to remain elevated for at least another year after the pandemic ends.

     Food banks were able to meet this increased need during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic due to a major increase in federal funds and philanthropy.  However, funding from both of these sources have declined considerably, and Hawaii's food banks will need additional support in order to continue to meet the needs of Hawaii residents.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support Hawaii's four TEFAP food banks so that they can continue to meet the food security needs of the people of Hawaii during this time of unprecedented need due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to fund the operating expenses of Hawaii Foodbank, Inc.; Maui Food Bank, Inc.; Hawaii Foodbank, Inc.'s Kauai branch; and The Food Basket, Inc., including expenses for staffing, transportation, food purchase, food storage, and food distribution.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations' office of community services for the purposes of this Act; provided that of the sum appropriated:

     (1)  One per cent shall be allocated to the office of community services to administer the funds appropriated pursuant to this Act;

     (2)  Ten per cent shall be allocated to the food bank in each county for administrative expenses, based on the county's proportional share of the State's poverty population as set forth in the latest small area income and poverty estimates issued by the United States Census Bureau (SAIPE formula); and

     (3)  The remainder shall be allocated to the food bank in each county for food purchase expenses using the SAIPE formula.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

 

Report Title:

Hawaii's Food Banks; The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP); Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to help Hawaii's food banks meet the significantly heightened need for food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.