STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1505

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 314

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

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. 314, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD BANKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Office of Community Services to fund the purchase, storage, and transportation of food for distribution to food banks in the State.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; Hale Hulu Mamo; Hale Kau Kau; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Foodbank, Inc.; Hawaii Hunger Action Network; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Hawaii Public Health Institute; Kahului Baptist Church; Kaiser Permanente; Kihei Youth Center; Lanakila Pacific; Maui Food Bank, Inc.; Maui Youth and Family Service; St. Joseph Church; Sustainable Molokai; The Food Basket, Inc., Hawaii Island's Food Bank; Ulupono Initiative; Upcountry Strong, Inc.; Women Helping Women; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Community Services of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawaii Foodbank, and Hawaii Primary Care Association.

Your Committee finds that appropriating moneys to support food banks in the State is necessary to ensure that food is available to individuals and families facing food insecurity.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the scope of the appropriation;

(2) Clarifying the mechanism for allocating the appropriated moneys to each county; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments 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. 314, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 314, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair