STAND. COM. REP. NO.  855

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1248

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1248, 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 appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture for the continued administration of the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program, commonly known as DA BUX, and to provide matching funds to beneficiaries who participate in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Executive Office on Early Learning; Maui County Council; Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaii; Early Childhood Action Strategy; American Heart Association; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Hawai‘i Food Hub Hui; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; Hawai‘i Farmers Union United; Ulupono Initiative; Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; Okimoto Corporation; Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; The Food Basket, Hawai‘i Island's Food Bank; Hawai‘i SEED; Hawai‘i Foodbank; Hawai‘i Pacific Health; Wai‘anae Community Re-Development Corporation-MA‘O Organic Farms; Hawai‘i Good Food Alliance; 350Hawaii.org; Hawai‘i Food Industry Association; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; Kohana Family Farms; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition; Sierra Club of Hawai‘i; KTA Super Stores; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

 

     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. 1248, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair