STAND. COM. REP. NO. 954-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2296

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. 2296, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to reduce the maximum amount the Department of Education may charge for school meals to all students enrolled in Department of Education schools to no more than one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; Healthy Eating, Active Living Coalition; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Hawaiʻi Hunger Action Network; Hawaii Food Industry Association; and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

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. 2296, 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