HB 1075: RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's working families face significant economic challenges, including the rising cost of living, inflationary pressures, and limited affordable options for basic needs.  Access to nutritious meals is essential for students' academic success and overall well-being.  However, the increasing cost of school meals may place an undue burden on families, leading to reduced student participation in school meal programs.

     The legislature further finds that encouraging more students to participate in school meal programs is crucial for promoting equity, ensuring students have access to healthy food, and fostering an environment conducive to learning.  By reducing the financial burden on families, the State can help mitigate the impacts of economic hardship and support the health and academic achievement of Hawaii's keiki.

     The purpose of this Act is to amend the revenue requirement from the sale of school meals from no less than one-half to no more than one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals, thereby making school meals more affordable for families and increasing student participation in school meal programs.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-405(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The price for school meals shall be set by the department to ensure that moneys received from the sale of the meals shall be [not less] no more than [one-half] one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals.  The prices for school meals may be adjusted annually based on the previous year's costs rounded to the nearest five cents; provided that the department by rule shall provide a lower rate or free meals to children based on their economic need."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DOE; School Meals; Cost

Description:

Reduces the amount the Department of Education is authorized to charge for school meals to all students enrolled in department schools to no more than one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's working families face significant economic challenges, including the rising cost of living, inflationary pressures, and limited affordable options for basic needs.  Access to nutritious meals is essential for students' academic success and overall well-being.  However, the increasing cost of school meals may place an undue burden on families, leading to reduced student participation in school meal programs.

     The legislature further finds that encouraging more students to participate in school meal programs is crucial for promoting equity, ensuring students have access to healthy food, and fostering an environment conducive to learning.  By reducing the financial burden on families, the State can help mitigate the impacts of economic hardship and support the health and academic achievement of Hawaii's keiki.

     The purpose of this Act is to amend section 302A-405(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, to reduce the minimum revenue requirement from the sale of school meals from one-half to one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals, thereby making school meals more affordable for families and increasing student participation in school meal programs.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-405(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "(a)  The price for school meals shall be set by the department to ensure that moneys received from the sale of the meals shall be not less than [one-half] one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals.  The prices for school meals may be adjusted annually based on the previous year's costs rounded to the nearest five cents; provided that the department by rule shall provide a lower rate or free meals to children based on their economic need."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

DOE; School Meals

Description:

Amends the law to reduce the amount the Department of Education is required to charge for school meals to all students enrolled in department schools.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  566

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1075

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1075 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to reduce the minimum revenue requirement from the sale of school meals from one-half to one-quarter of the cost of preparing the school meals.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education; Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Education Caucus; Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute; Healthy Eating, Active Living Coalition; and Hawaiʻi Food Bank.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice.

     Your Committee finds that access to nutritious meals is essential for students' academic success and overall well-being.  However, the increasing cost of school meals places an undue burden on families, leading to reduced student participation in school meal programs.  This measure will reduce the required meal cost offset collection and will make school meals in Department of Education schools more affordable.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifying that the price for school meals shall be set by the Department of Education to ensure that monies received from the sale of the meals shall be no more than one-quarter of the cost of preparing meals;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1075, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1075, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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