STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1346

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 460

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 460, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the purchase, storage, and transportation costs of food for distribution to food banks in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Office of Community Services, one member of the Kaua‘i County Council, St. Elizabeth's Church, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Ulupono Initiative, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, The Food Basket Inc., Maui Food Bank, Hawai‘i Foodbank, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawai‘i Hunger Action Network, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that food security is one of the greatest challenges facing the State's residents, with one in six Hawaii residents facing food insecurity, including nearly one in four children. Your Committee further finds that the State's food banks and their partners provide a critical safety net in response to ongoing food security in Hawaii caused by natural disasters, economic pressures, and the State's high cost of living. However, due to rising inflation driving up food prices over the past three years, the State's food banks are experiencing decreased purchasing power at a time of growing demand for their services.

Your Committee notes that since March 2020, the federally-funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)has provided recipient households with additional monthly SNAP benefits authorized by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, known as the Supplemental Emergency Allotment. The last Supplemental Emergency Allotment payment will be in March 2023 and the end of these benefits will directly impact approximately eighty-seven thousand households statewide. This measure provides the Office of Community Services additional funds with which to purchase and distribute food, which will enable the State's food banks to continue to meet the needs of individuals and families facing food insecurity.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 S.B. No. 460, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 460, S.D. 1, 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