STAND. COM. REP. NO. 612-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2233

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 Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2233, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and the Department of Health to continue their implementation of the Hawaii Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Executive Office on Early Learning; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Hunger Action Network; and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System and Executive Office on Aging.

Your Committee finds that the discontinuation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education Program has eliminated a proven, preventive public health resource that improved nutrition, reduced food insecurity, and strengthened families and communities. Your Committee further finds that continued state support is necessary to sustain the program's educational and community‑based benefits. This measure will provide funding to enable the University of Hawaii and the Department of Health to continue implementing the Hawaii SNAP‑Ed program.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $600,000 each to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and the Department of Health, for a total of $1,200,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2233, 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 Higher Education,

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair