STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1003

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 460

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 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 and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Office of Community Services of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to fund the costs of purchasing, storing, and transporting 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; Hawaii Office of Community Services; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaii Hunger Action Network; Hawaii Farm Bureau; Waianae Coast Community Foundation; Angel Network Charities; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Foodbank; The Food Basket, Inc.; St. Elizabeth's Church; and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State's food banks are a critical safety net in Hawaii's food and disaster response system. The moneys appropriated by this measure will help ensure that the food banks may continue to serve the State's communities efficiently and effectively.

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 S.B. No. 460, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair