STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2833

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3232

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 S.B. No. 3232 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the State's universal school meals program.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes the Universal School Meals Special Fund;

(2) Provides for the deposit of all Medicaid reimbursements received by the Department of Education into the Universal School Meals Special Fund; and

(3) Requires the Universal School Meals Special Fund to be administered by the Department of Education and used to fund universal school meals.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Aloha United Way, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawai`i State Teachers Association, Partners in Development Foundation, Hawai`i Food+ Policy - Purple Mai`a Foundation, and four individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that universal school meals reduce financial pressure on families; help to ensure that children are prepared to learn; and, for many students, are the most reliable source of available nutrition. Your Committee further finds that this measure represents a practical step toward sustaining the universal school meals program by creating a dedicated funding stream.

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. 3232 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