Bill Text: HI HB1400 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1400 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: SNAP; Farmers Markets; Matching Incentive Program ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 20-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-02-12 - The committee(s) on HUS recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB1400 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2015-HB1400-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1400
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
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:

SECTION 1. Consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables is an integral part of a healthy diet and central to the prevention of obesity and disease. Every community should have adequate access to such healthy dietary options; however, high cost and poor quality often make this difficult.

To increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for beneficiaries of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, some states have enacted farmers market matching incentive programs. Under such programs, individuals who purchase produce at local farmers markets using their nutrition assistance benefits receive additional benefits on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to a certain amount.

The legislature finds that such programs have not only increased access to healthy dietary options, but have also helped invigorate local economies and address food insecurity. Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of human services to develop and administer a farmers market matching incentive program for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

SECTION 2. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§346- Farmers market matching incentive program. (a) There is established a farmers market matching incentive program for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The program shall be developed and administered by the department. The department shall consult with the department of agriculture in developing and implementing the program.

(b) Beneficiaries who use food stamps to make purchases at a farmers market shall receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $20. Matching moneys received shall be limited to purchases at a farmers market.

(c) There is established within the department a farmers market matching incentive program special account, into which shall be deposited any legislative appropriations and any public or private grants, awards, or gifts for the purpose of the farmers market matching incentive program. Moneys in the special account may be expended by the department to administer the program and to provide matching funds to beneficiaries.

(d) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to develop and administer the farmers market matching incentive program."

SECTION 3. 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 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 to develop and administer a farmers market matching incentive program for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

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

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

SNAP; Farmers Markets; Matching Incentive Program

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to develop a farmers market matching incentive program for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.