STAND. COM. REP. NO.  859

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 248

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 248, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require the Farm to School Program and Farm to School Meals Program, established by Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, to be fully implemented by the 2024-2025 school year;

 

     (2)  Empower Complex Area Superintendents to implement the Farm to School Program and Farm to School Meals Program;

 

     (3)  Require certain school cafeteria supervisors to report directly to Complex Area Superintendents;

 

     (4)  Create, define the scope of, and appropriate funds for additional cafeteria supervisor positions; and

 

     (5)  Require the Office of Talent Management of the Department of Education to conduct a compensation review of school cafeteria supervisor positions.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Farmers Union United, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Youth Food Council, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii SEED, Climate Future Forum, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Kohana Family Farms, and twelve individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education; Chamber of Sustainable Commerce; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and North Shore Economic Vitality Partnership.

 

     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. 248, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair