STAND. COM. REP. NO. 699-24

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2590, H.D. 1, 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 Department of Agriculture; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center; Aloha Diaper Bank; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Ulupono Initiative; Hui O Hauula; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Foodbank; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; 350.org; Food+ Policy Internship 2024; Residential Youth Services & Empowerment; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Surfing The Nations; Hawaii Medical Service Association; New Life Body of Christ Christian Church; Lanakila Pacific; Lighthouse Outreach Center Assembly of God; Jesus Is Alive Fellowship; King's Oahu; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawai‘i SEED; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2590, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair