STAND. COM. REP. NO. 579

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                

 

RE:    S.B. No. 512

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 512, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand the Double Up Food Bucks Program administered by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

 

     Specifically, the measure:

 

     (1)  Removes the $10 per visit per day cap on the dollar-for-dollar match received by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries under the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program, also known as the Double Up Food Bucks Program (DA BUX);

 

     (2)  Specifies that healthy proteins are eligible purchases under the program; and

 

     (3)  Appropriates an unspecified amount of moneys to the Department of Agriculture to expand the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture; Department of Health; Department of Human Services; Department of Community Services of the City and County of Honolulu; Office of Economic Revitalization of the City and County of Honolulu; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Hawaii Food Industry Association; The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Association of Health Plans; Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development; Malama Kauai; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Lanakila Meals on Wheels; AARP Hawaii; American Heart Association; Aloha Harvest; Sierra Club of Hawaii; Kamehameha Schools; Hawaii Public Health Institute; 350Hawaii; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; The Food Basket Inc., Hawaii Island's Food Bank; Kaiser Permanente; Hawaii Farm Bureau; AlohaCare; Ohana Health Plan; Blue Zones Project; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Early Childhood Action Strategy; Hawaii Community Foundation; Local Food Coalition; Catholic Charities Hawaii; Parents And Children Together; Hawaii Pacific Health; Pono Hawaii Initiative; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council; Hawaii Foodbank; and numerous individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the measure's expansion of the Double Up Food Bucks Program will help to increase SNAP beneficiaries' access to fresh and healthy dietary options, further defray the high cost of healthy eating, and support the efforts of the agricultural industry, which has been adversely impacted by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing the appropriation section; and

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

 

     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. 512, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 512, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair