STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3782

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2083

H.D. 3

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2083, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide for the establishment of programs within the Department of Education relating to school meals.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Education to establish a recognition program to incentivize certain schools to submit a plan to reach the State's local farm to school meal goal; and

(2) Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a plant-based meal pilot program at Mililani High School to provide a plant-based meal option at the school, and to report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Mililani High School, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 350 Hawaii, Center for Getting Things Started, Down to Earth Organic & Natural, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Food+ Policy, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that providing plant-based meal options at Department of Education schools will promote healthier and more environmentally conscious school meals. Your Committee also finds that incentivizing schools to develop plans to reach the State's local farm to school meal goal will help to support the State's agricultural industry.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2083, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair