HB2181 HD1

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that many low-income households struggle to purchase food due to Hawaii's high cost of living and food prices. The supplemental nutrition assistance program, formerly known as the food stamp program, is crucial to providing necessary food assistance to some of Hawaii's most economically disadvantaged residents.

The legislature further finds that the supplemental nutrition assistance program is the most effective anti-hunger initiative in the country. In Hawaii, the program supports over one hundred thirty thousand individuals, bringing more than $630,000,000 into the State's economy each year. These benefits help economically vulnerable households meet their basic nutritional needs without sacrificing their financial security.

The legislature additionally finds that empowering supplemental nutrition assistance program recipients with greater feedback in the facilitation of the program would be useful in helping the department of human services with the development of strategies to increase access to program benefits for underserved communities, improving program participation and renewal rates, and establishing budgetary priorities that address the immediate concerns of food insecure populations.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a supplemental nutrition assistance program recipient advisory committee to assist the department of human services in strengthening the supplemental nutrition assistance program for working families.

SECTION 2. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§346- Supplemental nutrition assistance program; recipient advisory committee. (a) There is established a supplemental nutrition assistance program recipient advisory committee. The advisory committee shall be placed within the department for administrative purposes only. The advisory committee shall consist of the following seven members, who shall be appointed by the governor:

(1) Two members from the island of Oahu;

(2) One member from the island of Hawaii;

(3) One member from the island of Maui;

(4) One member from the island of Kauai;

(5) One member from the island of Molokai; and

(6) One member from the island of Lanai.

(b) All members of the advisory committee shall be recipients or former recipients of supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits.

(c) The members of the advisory committee shall be compensated in the amount of $40 per hour and shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, while attending meetings and in the discharge of their duties.

(d) The advisory committee shall meet with the department at least six times each year. The meetings may be held by means of interactive conference technology, including any form of audio and visual conference technology, such as teleconference, videoconference, and voice over internet protocol, that facilitates interaction between the department and members of the advisory committee.

(e) The advisory committee's duties and responsibilities shall be to:

(1) Advise the department on strategies to increase access to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, especially for underserved populations and remote communities;

(2) Assist the department in developing community partnerships to strengthen participation and renewal rates for the supplemental nutrition assistance program;

(3) Provide feedback to the department on budgetary proposals related to the supplemental nutrition assistance program;

(4) Participate in the long-term planning of the supplemental nutrition assistance program; and

(5) Act as a liaison between supplemental nutrition assistance program recipients and the department.

(f) Four members of the advisory committee shall constitute a quorum for purposes of doing business at any meeting. Each member of the advisory committee participating in a meeting by interactive conference technology shall be considered present at the meeting for purposes of determining quorum."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish the supplemental nutrition assistance program recipient advisory committee pursuant to this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2181
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII