Bill Text: HI HB2670 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-04-26 - Received notice of discharge of conferees (Hse. Com. No. 681). [HB2670 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HB2670-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2670 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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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. The legislature finds that consumption of fresh fruits 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 fresh and healthy dietary options; however, the high cost and poor quality of nearby, fresh produce often make this difficult.
The legislature further finds that, 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 further finds that farmers' market matching incentive programs have not only increased access to healthy dietary options for participants, but have also helped invigorate local economies and address food insecurity. Previous legislation introduced in Hawaii to establish a similar program was supported by community and scientific groups.
The purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to develop and administer a local healthy food incentive program promoting the purchase of Hawaii-grown fruits and vegetables by beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
SECTION 2. Chapter 141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§141‑ Local healthy food incentive program. (a)
There is established a local healthy food incentive program for
beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The program shall be developed and
administered by the department of agriculture.
(b) Under the program, beneficiaries of the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program who use food stamps for the purchase
of Hawaii-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at a farmers' market or other
direct food retailer that participates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program shall receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $20 per visit to be used
exclusively for purchases of Hawaii-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at a
farmers' market and other direct food retailers. "Farmers' market" shall have the
same meaning as in section 205‑2(d)(15)(D).
(c) The department of agriculture may cooperate with private organizations to develop rules for the local healthy food incentive program."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $300,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for administration of the local healthy food incentive program and to provide matching funds to beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.
Report Title:
Department of Agriculture; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Local Healthy Food Incentive Program; Appropriation
Description:
Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Agriculture to create a local produce dollar-for-dollar matching program for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
