STAND. COM. REP. NO. 826-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1518

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1518, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) By January 1, 2028, require the Department of Human Services, upon obtaining a federal waiver, to establish a pre-release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process for inmates nearing release; and

(2) Allow all individuals convicted of an offense involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance to apply for SNAP benefits, regardless of treatment status.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission; Department of Research and Development of the County of Hawaiʻi; one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; Health Eating, Active Living Coalition; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Community Alliance on Prisons; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Hawaiʻi Hunger Action Network; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; AlohaCare; Aloha Lokahi Association; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1518, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair