STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3119

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2620

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2620, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROCUREMENT,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Exempt Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products less than a certain amount from the electronic procurement system requirement; and 

 

     (2)  Require at least three written quotes for Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products between certain amounts.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Ka Ohana O Na Pua, and three individuals.

 

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Procurement Office.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Department of Education has a mandate to provide at least thirty percent locally sourced foods to the State's public schools by 2030.  However, despite this significant mandate, the Department of Education's small purchase procurement capacity is limited to $25,000 per twelve-month period, which may hinder the Department's ability to procure adequate amounts of locally sourced foods.  Therefore, this measure adjusts the small purchase procurement capacity for local edible produce to provide Hawaii's keiki with healthy, nutritious, and locally sourced meals.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2620, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2620, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair