The 2024 Legislative Session is off to a busy start. A number bills on HFIA’s priority issues have been introduced and are getting hearings. We’ve also been commenting on several bills in order to let our legislators know how they may impact our state’s food industry and food systems. Some of the bills in each of HFIA’s priority categories are below.

Food Affordability, Food Security, SNAP, and DA BUX

As we discussed in our previous issue one of our top priorities is supporting the Double Up Food Bucks program, also known as DA BUX, or the Healthy Food Incentive Program. This program gives customers who are using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) double purchasing power when they buy fresh local food. Without a reliable state funding source this important program is in danger. We’ll be supporting a number of bills on this including HB2771, SB2802, HB1525, and SB2421.

We’re excited to also be supporting the Department of Human Services in their efforts to secure State support and Federal funding for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program with SB3119 and HB2430. This program provides food insecure families of school age children benefits to buy food during the summer when kids are out of school and no longer have access to school lunch. For food insecure children school lunch is often their only reliable meal. We’re in support of HB2402 and SB3091 appropriate funds to the Department of Education for its food service operation.

We believe that supporting local food and increasing local food production and manufacturing is key to making food more affordable and making our state more food secure. We’re supporting a wide range of bills aimed at things like increasing local meat processing capacity SB2801, Hawaii Technology Development Corp. (HTDC) grant programs funding SB2113 and SB3045, Farm to foodbank funding SB3379, tax credits for shipping local produce and agricultural products between counties SB3247,

SB2974 establishes a business revitalization task force to identify methods to improve Hawaii''s general economic competitiveness and business climate, including by mitigating regulatory and tax burdens. Requires a report to the legislature.

Workforce Development

SB2973 creates a pilot program to provide grants to employers to assist in offering child care or caregiving support for their employees.SB2975 to create the qualified internship grant program.

SB2531 to improve State level workforce development efforts,

A working group in the Department of Transportation (DOT) to address the shortage of CDL drivers in the state.

Sustainability 

SB2368 requires the Department of Health (DOH) to conduct a needs assement on extended producer reponsibility,

Emergency Management and Response

Warehouse bonds SB2924,

and SB3244 which would create resiliency hubs.