STAND. COM. REP. NO. 961

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 154

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 154, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to reduce hunger in Hawaii's public schools by expanding access to school meal subsidies for students.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a school meal subsidy program intended for students whose families are not otherwise eligible for free lunch under the Department's current program, subject to income eligibility participation requirements; and

(2) Appropriates funds for the school meal subsidy program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Executive Office on Early Learning, Hawaii State Teachers Association, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Malama Kaua`i, Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that, according to the Department of Education, an estimated fifteen thousand children each year from gap groups do not qualify for free or low-cost school lunches, and that the program established by this measure will help to close that gap.

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 S.B. No. 154, 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