STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1360-24
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2024
RE: H.R. No. 32
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 Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.R. No. 32 entitled:
"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN TO STRENGTHEN FOOD SECURITY FOR LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES IN HAWAII,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this
measure is to request the Department of Agriculture to:
(1) Develop a strategic plan to enhance food
security for low-income communities in Hawaii by identifying and assessing
barriers to accessing locally produced and nutritious food; and
(2) Explore strategies to expand access to
affordable, locally sourced food and support local farmers through economic
incentives and capacity-building programs.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; and Church State Council.
Your Committee
finds that food security is a fundamental human right that is essential for
public health. Your committee further recognizes the challenges faced by
low-income communities in accessing nutritious food and advocates for promoting
local food production to improve health, economic security, and environmental
sustainability. Accordingly, this measure calls for a comprehensive
strategic plan involving collaboration among government agencies, community
organizations, and agricultural stakeholders to address issues related to food
access, affordability, land use, education, and community engagement.
Your
Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Adding language to include communities
recovering from disasters to the food security study;
(2) Adding a request for the study to include
communities recovering from disasters, particularly in the Lahaina community following
the August 2023 wildfires; and
(3) Updating the title the reflect the
amended changes.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 32, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 32, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,
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____________________________ CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair |
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