SB 961: DHS; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Minimum Certification Periods; Elderly Simplified Application Project; Report

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of human services shall set the minimum certification periods for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits households to twelve months; provided that for households in which all adult members are sixty years of age or older, the certification periods shall be at minimum twenty-four months.

     (b)  The department of human services shall participate in the elderly simplified application project of the supplemental nutrition assistance program to simplify eligibility determinations for eligible households.  Participation in the elderly simplified application project shall include:

     (1)  Establishing recertification periods of at least thirty-six months for households composed entirely of adults sixty years of age or older or adults with disabilities; and

     (2)  Waiving the recertification interview for eligible households, to the extent allowed by federal law.

     (c)  The department of human services shall seek any necessary federal approvals or waivers to implement this Act and shall promptly amend its rules, policies, and procedures to effectuate the intent of this Act.

     (d)  The department of human services shall submit reports of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2028 and 2029.  The reports shall include:

     (1)  Data on the implementation and utilization of the supplemental nutrition assistance program and elderly simplified application project, including the number and characteristics of participating households;

     (2)  Administrative cost savings or changes; and

     (3)  Analysis of the participation rates.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DHS; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Minimum Certification Periods; Elderly Simplified Application Project; Report

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature.  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 THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of human services shall set the minimum certification periods for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit households to twelve months; provided that for households in which all adult members are sixty years of age or older, the certification periods shall be at minimum twenty-four months.

     (b)  The department of human services shall participate in the elderly simplified application project of the supplemental nutrition assistance program to simplify eligibility determinations for eligible households.  Participation in the elderly simplified application project shall include:

     (1)  Establishing recertification periods of at least thirty-six months for households composed entirely of adults sixty years of age or older or adults with disabilities; and

     (2)  Waiving the recertification interview for eligible households, to the extent allowed by federal law.

     (c)  The department of human services shall seek any necessary federal approvals or waivers to implement this Act and shall promptly amend its rules, policies, and procedures to effectuate the intent of this Act.

     (d)  The department of human services shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2028 and 2029 that shall include:

     (1)  Data on the implementation and utilization of the supplemental nutrition assistance program and elderly simplified application project, including the number and characteristics of participating households;

     (2)  Administrative cost savings or changes; and

     (3)  Analysis of the participation rates.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2027.

Report Title:

DHS; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Minimum Certification Periods; Elderly Simplified Application Project; Report

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature.  Effective 7/1/2027.  (SD1)

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 the Supplemental nutrition assistance program.

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

     SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of human services shall set the minimum certification periods for supplemental nutrition assistance program benefit households to twelve months; provided that for households in which all adult members are sixty years of age or older, the certification periods shall be at minimum twenty-four months.

     (b)  The department of human services shall participate in the elderly simplified application project of the supplemental nutrition assistance program to simplify eligibility determinations for eligible households.  Participation in the elderly simplified application project shall include:

     (1)  Establishing recertification periods of at least thirty-six months for households composed entirely of adults sixty years of age or older or adults with disabilities; and

     (2)  Waiving the recertification interview for eligible households, to the extent allowed by federal law.

     (c)  The department of human services shall seek any necessary federal approvals or waivers to implement this Act and shall promptly amend its rules, policies, and procedures to effectuate the intent of this Act.

     (d)  The department of human services shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027 that shall include:

     (1)  Data on the implementation and utilization of the supplemental nutrition assistance program and elderly simplified application project, including the number and characteristics of participating households;

     (2)  Administrative cost savings or changes; and

     (3)  Analysis of the participation rates.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

DHS; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Elderly Simplified Application Project; Report

Description:

Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature.

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.  1369

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.B. No. 961

      S.D. 1

      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 Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 961, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to:

     (1)  Adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households;

     (2)  Participate in the federal Elderly Simplified Application Project; and

     (3)  Submit reports to the Legislature.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging; one member of the Hawai‘i County Council; City and County of Honolulu Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; AARP Hawai‘i; Indivisible Hawai‘i Working Families Team; AAUW of Hawai‘i; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; Pele Lani Farm LLC, Kulia I Ka Nu‘u Outreach Services; Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Foodbank; Hawai‘i Hunger Action Network; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Get Fit Kaua‘i; Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!; Catholic Charities Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition; AlohaCare; Hawai‘i Food+ Policy; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; American Heart Association; Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

     Your Committee finds that expanding access to nutritious food is essential to enhancing the health and well-being of local residents, particularly the State's keiki and kupuna.  The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides monthly financial assistance to eligible low-income households for purchasing food, plays a vital role in addressing food insecurity in Hawaii.  This measure seeks to ensure more stable food access for kupuna and SNAP recipients by mandating the Department of Human Services to set a minimum twenty-four-month certification period for households with members aged sixty or older, participate in federal Elderly Simplified Application Project, and establish a twelve-month minimum certification period for all other eligible households.

     Your Committee notes that because the Department of Human Services will be implementing its new eligibility system in the fall of 2026, an effective date of July 1, 2027, to implement this measure may be too early.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  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 Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 961, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 961, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 977

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 961

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 961, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate nutrition assistance for the needy.

     Specifically, the measure requires the Department of Human Services to:

     (1)  Set the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit households to twelve months; provided that for households in which all adult members are sixty years of age or older, the minimum certification periods shall be twenty-four months;

     (2)  Participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to simplify eligibility determinations for eligible households; and

     (3)  Submit reports to the Legislature regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and the Elderly Simplified Application Project.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging; Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu; a member of the Hawaii County Council; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; AARP Hawaii; Ka Ohana O Na Pua; Indivisible Hawaii Statewide Network; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Hawaii Appleseed; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Indivisible Hawaii; AAUW of Hawaii; Hawaii Public Health Institute; Hawaii Hunger Action Network; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition; Catholic Charities Hawaii; AlohaCare; Hawaii Foodbank; Our Lady of Mount Carmel Foodbank; Healthy Eating Active Living Coalition of Kauai County; and numerous individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that increased access to nutritious meals will improve the overall health of the State's needy children and senior citizens.  Your Committee finds this measure to be an appropriate mechanism to reach that goal.

     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. 961, S.D. 1, 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. 646

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 961

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 961 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to:

     (1)  Adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit households;

     (2)  Participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP); and

     (3)  Report to the Legislature.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council, Hawaii Food Industry Association; AlohaCare; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; AARP Hawai‘i; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Hawaii Food Bank, Inc.; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; AAUW of Hawaii; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; Strata Farms LLC; Chamber of Sustainable Commerce; Hawaiʻi Hunger Action Network; Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi; and twenty-eight individuals.

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

     Your Committee finds that increasing access to nutritious meals will improve overall health and decrease adverse health outcomes for the State's keiki and kupuna.  Your Committee further finds that the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture oversees SNAP which provides monthly funds to eligible low-income households to purchase food.  The duration of the SNAP benefits, known as the certification period, can range from one to thirty-six months, and states are given the option to extend the certification period for SNAP households with members who are aged sixty years or older from twelve months to twenty-four months without a waiver.  Your Committee further finds that ESAP is a project under SNAP that seeks to increase program participation among the low-income population aged sixty years or older by streamlining the application and certification process.  This measure will allow SNAP families and kupuna to gain stable access to nutritious meals by requiring the Department of Human Services to set the minimum SNAP certification period for households with members who are sixty years of age or older to twenty-four months and to participate in ESAP and set the minimum SNAP certification period for other households to twelve months.

     Your Committee acknowledges the concerns raised in testimony by the Department of Human Services that the anticipated increase in the number of SNAP households pursuant to this measure would overburden the Department's current SNAP eligibility determination system and workforce, leading to a potential increase in payment issuance errors.  Your Committee also notes that the Department is planning on implementing a new SNAP eligibility system in the fall of 2026 that will enable the Department to handle the potential increase in SNAP households.  Therefore, amendments to this measure are necessary to allow the Department of Human Services to finish updating their SNAP eligibility system.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2027, to allow the Department of Human Services to complete the implementation of its new eligibility system for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 961, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 961, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,