STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1725

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1248

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, 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 and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Agriculture for the continued administration of the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program and to provide matching funds to beneficiaries who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; Department of Agriculture; Department of Health; Maui County Council; American Heart Association; Hawaii Public Health Institute; 350Hawaii; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Hawaii Pacific Health; Good Food Movement; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; The Food Basket, Inc.; We Are One, Inc.; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Ulupono Initiative; Sustainable Molokai; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Maui Hub; AlohaCare; Farm Link Hawaii; Hawaii Good Food Alliance; Hawaii Hunger Action Network; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Foodbank; Ai Pohaku - The Stone Eaters; Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition; Climate Protectors Hawaii; Hilo Food Hub; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that the nutrition assistance programs supported by this measure will help address food insecurity and improve health outcomes for the State's residents by supporting the continued availability and accessibility of healthy foods.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Correcting the name of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1248, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1248, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair