STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 169-24
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2024
RE: H.B. No. 2083
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 2083 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Authorize
the Department of Education to establish a recognition program to incentivize
schools to submit to the Department a plan for the school to reach the local
farm to school meal goal of thirty percent of food served in the school to
consist of locally sourced products by 2030; and
(2) Require public high schools under the Department of Education to provide plant-based meals as an option under the school meals program.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Climate Protectors Hawaii; Recycle Hawaii, Clean the Pacific; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; When We Shine Foundation; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; 350Hawaii.org; Hawaii Food+ Policy; Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; and Ka Ohana O Na Pua.
Your Committee finds that setting a target
goal of food served in public schools to consist of locally sourced products is
of great benefit for the health of Hawaii's students. Additionally, offering plant-based meals in
public schools can also greatly increase demand for local greens and encourage
students to engage in healthy nutrition.
This measure promotes local farming jobs and agriculture through
incentives for public schools and expanding meal options for students.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying certain findings;
(2) Adding a definition for "plant-based meal";
(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(4) 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 Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2083, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2083, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Education.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair |