Bill Text: HI HB1434 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: UH; DOE; Farm to School Program; Education; Appropriation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [HB1434 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-HB1434-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO.  140

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1434

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1434 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to support Hawaii's agricultural industry and educate students on nutrition and the value of buying and eating local food by directing the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (UH-CTAHR), in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation (HFBF), to study the feasibility of establishing a farm-to-school program in Hawaii's public schools.

 

     A concerned individual supported this bill.  The University of Hawaii, UH-CTAHR, and HFBF supported the intent of this measure. DOA submitted comments.

 

     Your Committee notes that this bill complements several other measures relating to food safety, food security, and local agriculture that are also being considered during this legislative session.  In the face of increasing concerns and public awareness on the issue of how best to support local agriculture and encourage food self-sufficiency, this bill represents another step towards meeting these challenges.  The development of a statewide farm-to-school program will also align our state with the goals and objectives of the National Farm to School program.

 

     However, your Committee recognizes several concerns that were raised during the public hearing for this measure.  Concerns were raised by DOA and UH-CTAHR regarding the availability of funding for the feasibility study, given the current fiscal challenges facing the state.  In addition, the inclusion of the Department of Education (DOE) should be considered, as the DOE's school lunch program, procurement practices, and educational curriculum may be impacted by a Hawaii farm-to-school program.  Finally, HFBF submitted testimony indicating that some farm-to-school initiatives have already been implemented by local organizations on a smaller scale, and recommended that the Legislature, in lieu of a feasibility study, establish a statewide policy statement supporting a Hawaii farm-to-school program.  Your Committee supports future legislative efforts to address these concerns.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1434 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committees on Education and Higher Education.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture,

 

 

		____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair