SB 3232: DOE; Universal School Meals; Medicaid Reimbursement; Special Fund

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to universal school meals.

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

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart C, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-     Universal school meals special fund; established.  There is established within the state treasury a special fund to be known as the universal school meals special fund, into which shall be deposited all medicaid reimbursements received by the department, and any other moneys received by the department in the form of grants and donations for universal school meals.  The special fund shall be administered by the department and used to fund universal school meals."

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

     "(b)  All moneys received by or for the public school cafeterias from the sale of meals, the sale of services, the federal government[,] except for medicaid reimbursements received by the department under section 302A-   , 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."

     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  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.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, 2026.

Report Title:

DOE; Universal School Meals; Medicaid Reimbursement; Special Fund

Description:

Establishes the universal school meals special fund to accept deposits of Medicaid reimbursements received by the Department of Education.

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. 2833

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 3232

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3232 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the State's universal school meals program.

     Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Establishes the Universal School Meals Special Fund;

     (2)  Provides for the deposit of all Medicaid reimbursements received by the Department of Education into the Universal School Meals Special Fund; and

     (3)  Requires the Universal School Meals Special Fund to be administered by the Department of Education and used to fund universal school meals.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Aloha United Way, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawai`i State Teachers Association, Partners in Development Foundation, Hawai`i Food+ Policy - Purple Mai`a Foundation, and four individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committee finds that universal school meals reduce financial pressure on families; help to ensure that children are prepared to learn; and, for many students, are the most reliable source of available nutrition.  Your Committee further finds that this measure represents a practical step toward sustaining the universal school meals program by creating a dedicated funding stream.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3232 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2340

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 3232

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 3232 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the Universal School Meals Special Fund to accept deposits of Medicaid reimbursements received by the Department of Education.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association, Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and one individual.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education.

     Your Committee finds that hunger and food insecurity can be major barriers to education for school students in the State.  Providing nutritious school meals for students can reduce stigma and lead to better health, behavioral, and learning outcomes.  This measure would establish a sustainable foundation for the Department of Education to provide a universal school meals program to support improved outcomes for students in the State.

     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 S.B. No. 3232 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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