STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3624

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2208

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2208, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address food insecurity in the State while supporting the State's farmers and agricultural producers.

More specifically, this measure establishes and appropriates moneys for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to fund grants for food banks in the State to provide food insecure communities with food that is grown and produced in Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Maui County Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Food+ Policy | Purple Maia Foundation, WOCAN, Ahahui o na Kauka, Association of Native Hawaiian Physicians, Clean the Pacific, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Local Food Coalition, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Foodbank, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Maui Food Bank, Lokoea Farms, Green Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Food Industry Association, 350Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Aloha United Way, Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services

Your Committee finds that many households in Hawaii face food insecurity, and the demand for food assistance continues to grow. Your Committee further finds that supporting Hawaii farmers and agricultural producers is critically important to improve food sustainability in the State. Your Committee recognizes that unpredictable markets, high distribution costs, and limited access to stable buyers continue to challenge farmers and producers and to threaten the sustainability of Hawaii's food supply. Your Committee believes that the program established and funded by this measure will help address both food insecurity and food sustainability by incentivizing food banks in the State to purchase locally grown and produced food.

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. 2208, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair