STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3644

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2430

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2430, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUMMER ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and appropriate moneys for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Human Services, Office of the Governor, ABC Stores, AlohaCare, American Heart Association, Down to Earth Organic & Natural, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Foodbank, Hawaii Good Food Alliance, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Okimoto Corp., Parents and Children Together, PPRM-Hawaii, and seven individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State will participate in the United States Department of Agriculture's Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children Program, which addresses food insecurities by providing families with financial support during the summer to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, or other authorized retailers. Your Committee further finds that this measure will enable the Department of Human Services to develop and implement State participation in this important program, and includes additional funding for necessary administrative costs.

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

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. 2430, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2430, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for 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