STAND. COM. REP. NO. 485-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2620

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 2620, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROCUREMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Exempt Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products that are less than $100,000 from the electronic procurement system requirement; and

(2) Require at least three written quotes for Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products that are between $15,000 to less than $100,000.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; and Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Procurement Office.

Your Committee finds that the State has committed to increasing the use of locally grown agricultural products in public schools by requiring the Department of Education to serve meals consisting of at least thirty percent of locally sourced products. Providing the Department of Education with the flexibility to purchase local edible produce and packaged food products will assist the Department in achieving its goal, support local farmers and ranchers, and provide more fresh and nutritious foods to Hawaii's students.

Your Committee notes a possible agreement between the Department of Education and State Procurement Office on an exemption amount lower than $100,000 related to the procurement of local edible produce and packaged food products for Hawaii's schools.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2620, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair