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HB704
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
704
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to food security
.
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, despite rising food costs, the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit levels for households in the State have been phasing
downward since federal fiscal year 2024 due to incomplete and flawed cost
analysis methodology.
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According to Aloha
United Way, in 2022, forty-four per cent of the households in Hawaii earned
below the asset limited, income constrained, employed (ALICE) household
survival budget or the minimum costs of household necessities plus taxes,
adjusted for different counties and household types.
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According to a study by the Hawaii Foodbank,
the State's largest hunger relief organization, nearly one in three Hawaii
households were food insecure in 2023.
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The
legislature notes that Hawaii is the only state to see reductions in federal
SNAP benefits, while all other states and territories have had SNAP increases
over the past two years.
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Currently
98,440 Hawaii families participate in SNAP.
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The legislature further notes that although
the Hawaii congressional delegation is working to find a solution, federal
changes are very slow.
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Families
receiving SNAP benefits typically utilize the full monthly allocation.
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A SNAP-eligible family of four in Hawaii earns
less than $3,887 per month.
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These recent
cuts in benefit levels require families to divert $72 or more of their earnings
to food expenses, further reducing their ability to pay for childcare, housing,
utilities, and other essentials.
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The recent
cuts also exacerbate food insecurity and reduce spending at local food
retailers, including programs like the Hawaii healthy food incentive program,
now commonly known as the DA BUX double up food bucks program, that incentivize
the purchase of locally grown produce.
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Since
SNAP funds are spent locally, supplementing federal funding with state
resources would benefit both vulnerable families and Hawaii's agricultural
economy and would help establish a back stop for SNAP recipients in the event
there are drastic federal SNAP cuts.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
address the immediate needs of food-insecure families and support Hawaii's
local food system and economy by establishing the Hawaii food security special
fund.
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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section
to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
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"
�346-
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Hawaii food security special fund;
establishment.
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(a)
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There is established within the state
treasury the Hawaii food security special fund, into which shall be deposited:
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(1)
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Appropriations
from the legislature;
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(2)
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Moneys
directed to the special fund from any other sources, including but not limited
to grants, gifts, and awards; and
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(3)
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Moneys
derived from interest, dividend, or other income from the above sources.
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(b)
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Moneys in the Hawaii food security special fund shall be administered
and distributed by the department via the electronic benefit transfer system
to
supplement
existing monthly federal benefits to eligible SNAP households
in the State to provide the same level of benefits as those available in
federal fiscal year 2023; provided that the amount of monthly federal benefits to
a qualifying household does not exceed the level of benefits provided in
federal fiscal year 2023.
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(c)
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The department shall prepare and submit an annual report on the status
of the Hawaii food security special fund to the legislature no later than
twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session
.
"
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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
be deposited into the Hawaii food security special fund established pursuant to
section 346- , Hawaii Revised Statutes.
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SECTION
4
.
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There is appropriated out of the
Hawaii food security special fund 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
for the purposes of this Act
.
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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 5.
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New statutory material is underscored.
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SECTION 6.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Kupuna
Caucus; Department of Human Services; SNAP; Hawaii Food Security Special Fund;
Reports; Appropriations
Description:
Establishes
the Hawaii Food Security Special Fund to restore Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program benefit levels to those provided in federal fiscal year 2023.
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Requires reports to the Legislature.
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Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.