RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

HB696

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

696

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the Supplemental nutrition assistance program
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION
1.
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The legislature finds that many
low-income households struggle to purchase food due to Hawaii's high cost of
living and food prices.
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The supplemental
nutrition assistance program (SNAP), formerly known as the food stamp program,
is crucial to providing necessary food assistance to some of Hawaii's most
economically disadvantaged residents.

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The
legislature further finds that SNAP is the most effective anti-hunger
initiative in the country.
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In Hawaii,
SNAP supports over one hundred thirty thousand individuals, bringing more than
$630,000,000 into the State's economy each year.
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These benefits help economically vulnerable
households meet their basic nutritional needs without sacrificing their
financial security.

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The
legislature additionally finds that a study co-authored by the university of
Hawaii economic research organization and Hawaii Public Health Institute found
that eliminating the net income limit criteria for SNAP beneficiaries would
provide an additional $45,000,0000 in benefits to struggling families across
the State and expand eligibility for thirteen thousand to fourteen thousand
more households, with each household receiving an average of $3,200 annually in
food assistance.
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Subsequently, in
September 2024, Governor Josh Green announced that the State would remove the
net income limit criteria to strengthen Hawaii's social welfare system for
working-class families.

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The
legislature also finds that SNAP access and participation rates are hampered by
understaffing at the department of human services.
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Improvements to SNAP in the State, including
elimination of the net income limit, will only be effective if they are able to
be fully implemented, which will require additional staffing for the department
of human services.
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Moreover, since SNAP
benefits are federally reimbursable, increasing staff for the State's SNAP
program could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in federal revenue to
combat food insecurity in local communities by strengthening the State's SNAP
participation rate.

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The
legislature also finds that the State does not participate in the elderly
simplified application project, which is a demonstration project that seeks to
increase participation among the older adult low-income population facing
barriers to participation in SNAP.
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Specifically,
the demonstration project waives the recertification interview requirement,
allows for greater flexibility in verification, and extends the certification
period to thirty-six months.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to:

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(1)
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Require
the department of human services to adjust the minimum certification periods
for supplemental nutrition assistance program
benefits households,
participate in the elderly simplified application project, and report to the
legislature; and

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(2)
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Appropriate funds to the department of human
services to enhance staffing related to the supplemental nutrition assistance
program.

SECTION 2.
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(a)
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The department of human services shall set the minimum certification
periods for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit households to
twelve months; provided that for households in which all adult members are
sixty years of age or older, the certification periods shall be at minimum
twenty-four months.

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(b)
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The department of human services shall
participate in the elderly simplified application project of the supplemental
nutrition assistance program to simplify eligibility determinations for
eligible households.
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Participation in
the elderly simplified application project shall include:

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(1)
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Establishing recertification periods of a
least thirty-six months for households composed entirely of adults sixty years
of age or older or adults with disabilities; and

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(2)
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Waiving the recertification interview for
eligible households, to the extent allowed by federal law.

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(c)
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The department of human services shall seek
any necessary federal approvals or waivers to implement the provisions of this
section and shall promptly amend its rules, policies, and procedures to
effectuate the intent of this section.

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(d)
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The department of human services shall submit
a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed
legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular sessions of
2026
and 2027 that shall include:

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(1)
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Data
on the implementation and utilization of the
supplemental nutrition
assistance program and elderly simplified application project, including the
number and characteristics of participating households;

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(2)
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Administrative cost savings or changes; and

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(3)
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Analysis of the participation rates.

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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to strengthen access
to the supplemental nutrition assistance program by:

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(1)
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Authorizing differential pay increases for
positions related to the facilitation of the supplemental nutrition assistance
program;

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(2)
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Establishing new positions to improve access
to the supplemental nutrition assistance program, particularly for economically
disadvantaged communities; and

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(3)
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Undertaking any other programs or initiatives
the department of human services deems effective in improving supplemental
nutrition assistance program participation rates.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the
department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DHS;
Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program; Elderly Simplified Application Project; Report; Appropriation

Description:

Requires
the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods
for
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households,
participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature.
�
Appropriates
funds to the Department of Human Services to improve Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program rates, including establishing additional positions.

The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.