THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1533
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to the University of Hawaii.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the percentage of people worldwide with food allergies has risen significantly in recent years, particularly amongst newer generations. In the United States, hospital visits for food allergies increased threefold from 1993 to 2006. Between 2013 and 2019, England saw a seventy-two per cent increase in the number of children admitted to the hospital due to anaphylaxis. Overall, the number of people with food allergies has more than doubled since 1960.

The legislature further finds that the University of Hawaii requires all students living in a residence hall to purchase a meal plan. While the University of Hawaii does make attempts to accommodate diverse diets, food selection is often difficult for students with dietary restrictions and allergies. Too often, students are forced to pay for meal plans only to have to purchase food that they can safely eat off campus.

The legislature further finds that increasing the percentage of plant-based proteins in meals can greatly reduce carbon emissions in the food system. Growing more plant-based proteins locally can also reduce shipping costs and emissions, empower farmers in Hawaii by expanding the market for plant-based foods, and grow the local agricultural economy.

The purpose of this Act is to transition the University of Hawaii toward providing meals every student can eat by increasing the percentage of plant-based proteins and incorporating more alternative foods in meals, which will help expand the market for local farmers to grow more food.

SECTION 2. Section 304A-119, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§304A-119[]] University of Hawaii; [net-zero energy goal.] sustainability goals. (a) The University of Hawaii shall establish [a] collective [goal of becoming] goals to become net-zero with respect to energy use, producing as much energy as the system consumes across all campuses, by January 1, 2035.

(b) The University of Hawaii shall establish a benchmark for the amount and value of energy consumed during the 2014-2015 fiscal year, against which it shall measure its progress toward the net-zero energy goal [set forth] described in subsection (a).

(c) The University of Hawaii shall make improvements that advance the net-zero energy goal [set forth] described in subsection (a) a priority.

(d) The University of Hawaii shall establish collective goals to provide meals eligible for purchase with a meal plan that accommodate the needs of every student and incorporate:

(1) Plant-based proteins as primary proteins; and

(2) Meaningful daily options for students with various food allergies;

provided that, by January 1, 2035, plant-based proteins shall be the primary protein in fifty per cent of all meals eligible for purchase with a meal plan.

(e) The University of Hawaii shall establish a benchmark for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, against which it shall measure its progress toward the food for every student goal described in subsection (d).

[(d)] (f) The University of Hawaii shall submit an annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of each regular session. The annual report shall include the following information:

(1) Overall progress toward the [net-zero energy goal set forth] collective goals described in [subsection (a);] subsections (a) and (d); and

(2) Plans and recommendations to advance the [net-zero energy goal set forth] collective goals described in [subsection (a).] subsections (a) and (d)."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Sustainability Goals; Meals; Plant-Based Proteins; Allergies; Benchmarks; Annual Reports

Description:

Requires the University of Hawaii to establish collective goals to accommodate the dietary needs of every student by increasing plant-based proteins and meaningful daily options for students with various allergies for meals eligible for purchase with a meal plan. Beginning January 1, 2035, requires plant-based proteins to be the primary protein in fifty per cent of all meals eligible for purchase with a meal plan. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.