STAND. COM. REP. NO.  577

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 314

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 314 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD BANKS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Office of Community Services to supplement the Emergency Food Assistance Program for the purchase, storage, and transportation costs of food distribution to those in need.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Office of Community Services, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii FoodBank, Obesity Prevention Task Force, The Food Basket Inc., Lanakila Pacific, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Ulupono Initiative, First United Methodist Church of Honolulu, Elepaio Social Services, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, St Elizabeth's Church, Supersistence, and four individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that food security is a significant challenge for many individuals and families in the State, with one in six Hawaii residents facing food security, including nearly one in four children.  Your Committee further finds that food banks and their partners provide a critical safety net in response to ongoing food insecurity caused by natural disasters, economic pressures, and the high cost of living in Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that rising inflation has driven up food prices over the past three years, resulting in the State's food banks experiencing decreased purchasing power at a time of growing demand for their services.  This measure is intended to address food insecurity in Hawaii by appropriating funds to supplement the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program to ensure the State's food banks and their partners can continue to meet ongoing food security needs in the State.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     Your Committee notes the request for additional clarification raised in testimony by the Office of Community Services regarding procurement issues, food selection, and administrative costs.  Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to examine these issues further.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 314, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 314, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair