RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

HB967

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

967

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

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 the State is committed to promoting sustainable economic
development, enhancing local food production, improving access to healthy food,
promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation, minimizing food waste, and
reducing food insecurity.
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This
commitment is evident through initiatives such as:

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(1)
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The
Hawaii sustainability 2050 plan highlights Hawaii's overall economic, climate,
and food system-related goals;

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(2)
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Act
151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, which mandates doubling local food production
and increasing food exports by 2030; and

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(3)
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Acts
175 and 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, which establish goals for local food
procurement in schools and other government entities, with a target of fifty
per cent locally sourced food by 2050.

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Despite these efforts and more, high food
insecurity and barriers to local food production in Hawaii remain.
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According to a recent report by the Hawaii
Food Bank, nearly one-third of households are food insecure, and food
insecurity rates are consistently higher than the national average.
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Additionally, a recent study found that only twelve
per cent of households maintain a fourteen-day emergency supply of food, water,
and medicine, as recommended by emergency managers.

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The legislature further finds that
achieving a sustainable, resilient, and equitable food system requires
collaboration across state agencies, producers, retailers, non-governmental
organizations, and community members.
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Such a system can enhance environmental,
economic, social, and cultural health, well-being, and equity while also
responding effectively to disasters and crises.
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Interagency coordination and an integrated
approach are essential to maximizing efficiencies and achieving impact.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish
a statewide interagency food systems coordination team and an interagency food
systems working group within the department of agriculture.

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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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There is established the
statewide interagency food systems coordination team within the department of
agriculture for administrative purposes.
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The statewide interagency food systems coordination team shall develop
and oversee the interagency food systems working group established under
subsection (b) and a planning process to implement interagency food systems
plans and actions.

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(b)
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There
is established an interagency food systems working group within the department
of agriculture for administrative purposes, whose members shall include but not
be limited to:

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(1)
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The
chairperson of the board of agriculture, or the chairperson's designee, and the
director of business, economic development, and tourism, or the director's
designee, who shall serve as co-chairs of the working group;

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(2)
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One
member of the house of representatives, to be selected by the speaker of the
house of representatives;

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(3)
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One
member of the senate, to be selected by the president of the senate;

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(4)
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One
representative from the department of education;

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(5)
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One
representative from the department of health;

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(6)
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One
representative from the office of Hawaiian affairs;

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(7)
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One
representative from the office of planning and sustainable development; and

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(8)
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One
representative from the agribusiness development corporation.

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(c)
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The
co-chairs may invite other representatives of interested organizations with
relevant experience and expertise to participate in the interagency food
systems working group, as necessary.

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(d)
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The
interagency food systems working group shall:

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(1)
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Develop
governance, decision-making, and operating protocols;

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(2)
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Coordinate
with county and community-led food systems planning processes;

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(3)
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Identify
resources for interagency coordination and implementation;

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(4)
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Develop
internal and external communication processes;

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(5)
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Create
time-bound implementation plans and ways of measuring progress toward statewide
food system goals; and

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(6)
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Utilize
policy impact analysis tools to evaluate proposed actions.

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(e)
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The interagency food systems working group shall submit a report of its activities
and any recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature
no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session
.

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(f)
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The department of agriculture shall provide any necessary administrative
support to the statewide interagency food systems coordination team and the interagency
food systems working group established under this section.

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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 $944,100 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 allocated as follows:

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(1)
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$399,300
for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) food system specialist
position within the department of agriculture;

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(2)
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$253,400
for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) policy analyst
position within the department of agriculture;

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(3)
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$191,400
for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) administrative
assistant position within the department of agriculture; and

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(4)
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$100,000
for the establishment and operation of the interagency food systems working
group established pursuant to section 2 of this Act, to include conducting stakeholder
coordination, public meetings, and information management.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture
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:

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Report Title:

DOA; Statewide Interagency Food Systems Coordination Team;
Interagency Food Systems Working Group; Reports; Positions; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes the Statewide Interagency Food Systems
Coordination Team and the Interagency Food Systems Working Group within the
Department of Agriculture.
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Requires
reports to the Legislature.
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Establishes positions.

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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.