STAND. COM. REP. NO. 519-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2590

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. 2590 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for food bank purchases from local farmers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Agriculture; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Young Brothers, LLC; Hawaiʻi Foodbank; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaii Food+ Policy; Voice of God Ministries; Immanuel Christian Church; Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; Maui Chamber of Commerce; The Pantry by Feeding Hawaii Together; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that food insecurity is a critical issue in the State, as the cost of food has increased by more than five percent in the last twelve months. While Hawaii's food banks have provided food to those in need in recent disaster situations, more support is needed to expand their food storage capacity. Supporting the Department of Agriculture in purchasing food from local farmers to support food banks in Hawaii will ensure that food bank reserves are filled in future disaster situations and support the economy and local farmers.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2024-2025.

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. 2590, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2590, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair