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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3091 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR FOOD SERVICES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 2. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and sections 37—91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2023—2024 has already been exceeded by $ or per cent. The appropriations contained in this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2023-2024 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. This declaration takes into account the additional general fund appropriation authorized for fiscal year 2023-2024 in this Act only. 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 3. The department of education is required to provide meal service for its students and staff. The department provides about twenty thousand school breakfasts and eighty thousand school lunches on a daily basis to students and staff across the State.
The department of education has accumulated a deficit of over $20,000,000 for its food service operations. This is largely due to inflationary cost increases. In school year 2022 to 2023, more than eighty per cent of the department's food costs increased by forty-two per cent, resulting in the need for additional funds.
For many students, a school meal is their only regular source of food for their growing bodies and minds. School meals must follow strict federal food safety and nutrition guidelines, which ensures a quality meal. The department of education plays a vital role in the health and well-being of youth in our communities.
While students and staff must pay for their meals, Title I students are provided meals free of charge. Also, because feeding students is important for their development, students are not denied a meal due to a lack of payment, all of which has contributed to this accumulated deficit.
The purpose of this Act is to make an emergency appropriation to provide moneys for the department of education to cover its food service fiscal deficit and to continue to provide public school students with high-quality, nutritious meals at an affordable price.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $20,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 to provide funding for the department of education to cover its food service operations.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED
BY: |
_____________________________ |
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BY REQUEST |
Report Title:
Emergency Appropriation; DOE
Description:
Makes an emergency appropriation to provide moneys for the Department of Education for its food service operations.
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.