HB 1500: 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.  Section 302A-405, 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 than one-half 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 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Department of Education; School Meals; Prices

Description:

Repeals the authority of the Department of Education to set the price for school meals, except to provide a lower rate or free meals through rules.  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.  Section 302A-405, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302A-405  School cafeterias; funds; expenditures.  (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 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.

     (b)]  All moneys received by or for the public school cafeterias from the sale of meals, the sale of services, the federal government, or any other source, shall be deposited in one special school lunch fund.  Except as otherwise provided by the legislature, all expenditures for the operation of public school cafeterias shall be made from this fund.

     [(c)] (b)  It is the intent of this section not to jeopardize the receipt of any federal aid and to the extent, and only to the extent necessary to effectuate this intent, the governor may modify the strict provisions of this section, but shall promptly report any such modification with the governor's reasons therefor to the next succeeding session of the legislature for review."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Department of Education; School Meals; Prices

Description:

Repeals the authority of the Department of Education to set the price for school meals.

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.  569

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1500

      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. 1500 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to repeal the authority of the Department of Education to set the price for school meals.

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

     Your Committee finds that repealing the Department of Education's authority to set the price for school meals will expand access to nutritious meals, helping students receive the nourishment they need to grow, learn, and thrive.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Restoring the statutory provisions requiring the Department of Education, by rule, to provide a lower rate or free meals to children based on their economic need;

     (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. 1500, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1500, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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