STAND. COM. REP. NO.  352

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 782

      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 Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 782 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize health care providers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and faith-based organizations to distribute Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications.  

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from AARP Hawai‘i and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

 

Your Committee finds that many individuals who are eligible for SNAP benefits do not participate in the program because they are unaware of the program's existence or of their eligibility.  Your Committee further finds that Moody's Analytics estimates that every dollar given in SNAP funds can generate $1.70 in the local economy.  This measure is intended to reduce food insecurity for low-income individuals and families and increase SNAP participation by authorizing health care providers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and faith-based organizations to distribute SNAP applications.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that SNAP applications may be distributed to anyone interested in applying for SNAP benefits; and

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 782, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 782, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair