Bill Text: HI SB2398 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-03-21 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Ing, C. Lee, McKelvey, Souki, Todd, Ward excused (6). [SB2398 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-SB2398-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2398 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.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:
PART I
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that 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.
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 such a program was also supported by community and scientific groups.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of agriculture to develop and administer a local health food incentive program promoting the purchase of fruits and vegetables for 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 health food incentive program;
special fund. (a) There is established a local health 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 local health food incentive
program, beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program who use
food stamps to make purchases at a farmers' market and other direct food
retailers who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program shall
receive a dollar-for-dollar match up to $20 per month to be used exclusively
for purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables at a farmers' market or other
direct food retailer. For the purposes
of this section, "farmers' market" shall have the same meaning as in
section 205‑2(d)(15)(D).
(c) There is established within the department of
agriculture a local health food incentive program special fund, into which
shall be deposited any legislative appropriations and any public or private
grants, awards, or gifts for the purpose of the local health food incentive
program. Moneys in the special fund may
be expended by the department to administer the program and to provide matching
funds to beneficiaries.
(d) The department of agriculture may cooperate with private organizations to develop rules for the local health food 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 2018-2019 to be deposited into the local health food incentive program special fund.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the local health food incentive program special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for administration of the local health 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.
PART II
SECTION 5. Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately
designated and to read as follows:
"§346- Supplemental nutrition assistance program
participation. (a) Healthcare providers, non-profits,
businesses, and faith based organizations may provide supplemental nutrition
assistance program applications to prospective applicants.
(b) Healthcare providers, non-profits, businesses, and faith-based organizations that provide supplemental nutrition assistance program applications to prospective applicants shall maintain a record of the distribution of the applications and upon request shall make the record available to the department of human services."
PART III
SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
DOA; SNAP; Farmers Markets; Local Health Food Incentive Program; Application; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Department of Agriculture to create a local health food dollar-for-dollar matching program for beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Establishes and appropriates funds for the Local Health Food Incentive Program Special Fund. Authorizes healthcare providers, non-profits, businesses, and faith based organizations to provide SNAP applications to prospective applicants. (SB2398 HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
