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,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair