Bill Text: HI SB3241 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 3241

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Plant-based Meals.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-29 - Referred to EDU, WAM. [SB3241 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-SB3241-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3241
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to plant-based meals.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the percentage of individuals worldwide with food allergies has risen significantly in recent years, particularly amongst younger generations. In the United States, hospital visits for food allergies increased threefold from 1993 to 2006. Between 2013 and 2019, England saw a seventy-two per cent increase in the number of children admitted to the hospital due to anaphylaxis. Overall, the number of individuals with food allergies has more than doubled since 1960. For children enrolled in department of education public schools who have food allergies but who depend on meals provided at their school, many are in a position where they cannot eat what they are provided due to a lack of safe alternatives, which has been proven to lead to poor leaning outcomes. Increasing the percentage of plant-based proteins in meals can also greatly reduce carbon emissions, empower farmers in the State by expanding the market for plant-based foods, and grow the local agricultural economy.

The legislature further finds that developing a statewide model for providing locally sourced plant-based meals for students is one way to reduce cases of allergic reaction, increase production of local agriculture, promote healthy dietary alternatives, and promote more sustainable practices in school cafeterias by reducing the amounts of food imported into the State that carry a higher carbon footprint.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of education to establish a plant-based meals option grant program for public schools.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of education shall establish and administer a plant-based meals option grant program to support the availability of plant-based meal alternatives in public schools.

(b) The department of education may partner with organizations with expertise in plant-based meal programs or nutrition to facilitate the plant-based meals option grant program.

SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the administration of the plant-based meals option grant program established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

DOE; Plant-Based Meals; Grant Program; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a plant-based meals option grant program within the Department of Education. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Makes an appropriation.

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