HAPA’s 2024 Fair & Sustainable Food Systems Policy AgendaFull Post-Session Updates - 5.4.24
PC: Marie Eriel Hobro
HAPA’s 2024 Post-Legislative Session Update
Thanks again to all of you who took action this legislative session! From the outset, we knew that the recovery needs of Maui would appropriately be centered this legislative session and budget appropriations. It was incredibly inspiring to witness the membership of Lāhainā Strong win long overdue regulation of short term rentals on our local housing supply. Shout out to the amazing and tireless grassroots efforts of Lāhainā Strong, and for reminding us that strategic organizing and people power can win!
Over the past few years HAPA has been working to support a broad food systems policy agenda, in recognition of the fact that transforming our food system can be a powerful lever for broader change - socially, economically and environmentally. So we link arms with our partners working across many facets of our food system in Hawaiʻi.
Here is our summary of the how fair and sustainable food systems bills fared in the 2024 session:
Food Equity
Thankfully, funds were allocated to address the rising hunger rates in Hawaiʻi through recurring budget appropriations for DA BUX which doubles the value of SNAP EBT on local produce purchases. Lawmakers also added appropriations for local food banks to the budget. The legislature sadly chose not to fund free school meals for DOE students facing food insecurity. Additionally, efforts to address the “SNAP cliff” failed as well. “SNAP cliff” refers to the income threshold when SNAP benefits are abruptly and entirely cut off. The proposed bill would have more gradually tapering down benefits.
Pesticide Protections
HAPA’s research has revealed concerning elevated restricted pesticide usage in Hawaiʻi which supports the need for increased buffer zones as a common sense public health protection. Our research also revealed the need for better data reporting to conduct credible public health studies. However, despite the science and research, lawmakers failed to even entertain much of a discussion around these issues. Although our bills passed out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment they were never scheduled for further hearings. Unfortunately, our House pesticide bills were never even scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems.
Support for Food Producers & Regenerative Farming Practices
Bills providing incentives for regenerative, climate friendly agricultural practices or more broadly supporting increased food production mostly failed. Additionally, efforts to address the stagnating farm to school program failed as well.
Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Stream flow restoration and the enforcement of Hawaiʻi’s public trust water laws are vital to the restoration and stewardship of healthy ahupuaʻa systems where indigenous traditional and customary food systems can thrive. Post-fire disaster-capitalist water grab attempts in Lāhainā underscored the need to enact decades-old recommendations to remove undue political influence over the State Commission on Water Resource Management. Sadly, these efforts failed as well. A bill that would have protected Water Commission members and staff from the influence of opportunistic and politically connected corporate interests and supported remediation efforts at Red Hill died in conference committee.
One bright spot, a bill to support and streamline fishpond restoration on government lands did pass. Importantly, this bill requires that fishpond leasing plans incorporate traditional and customary native Hawaiian practices in their management plan.
Despite a lot of disappointing outcomes, we will continue to advocate and build power to create a more just and regenerative food system here in Hawaiʻi! Stay tuned for more ways to engage.
Check out the full detailed reporting on the fate of each of the food systems bills in HAPA’s FSFS policy agenda below.
HAPA’s 2024 Fair & Sustainable Food Systems Policy Agenda
Full Post-Session Updates - 5.4.24
Food Equity
Policy Leads: Hawaiʻi Hunger Action Network, Hawaiʻi Appleseed, Hawaiʻi Public Health Initiative (HIPHI), The Food Basket
Universal School Meals - Failed
Sadly, efforts to fund free school meals for DOE students facing food insecurity failed. Hunger should never be a barrier to learning, yet many food insecure students are missing meals and cannot thrive in the classroom. Universal free school meals would have provided breakfast and lunch to all public school students and would have helped to improve health and learning outcomes.
HB1540 - DEAD - Deferred by the House Committee on Education
HB2256 - DEAD - Deferred by the House Committee on Education
HB1775 HD1 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Education
SB2327 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing
DA BUX - PASSED! Funded through a budget appropriation
DA BUX is a triple-win solution. It doubles the purchasing power of a SNAP dollar when used to buy Hawai‘i-grown produce; it supports local farmers by increasing the customer base, and keeps dollars in the local community. This bill dedicates $2M in state funding, which can be matched by federal funding.
SB2802 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing
HB1525 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Finance
SB2421 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
HB2771 HD1 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
Addressing the SNAP Hunger Cliff - Failed
As pandemic related and other benefits have ended food insecurity is rising in Hawaii. State funded food benefits to supplement SNAP (or other anti-hunger programs) can help alleviate hunger.
HB 1661 - DEAD - Deferred by HUS
SB 2135 - DEAD - Deferred by HHS
Farm to Foodbank - PASSED!*
Establishes the Hawaiʻi farm to food bank program and Hawaiʻi food assistance program special fund to alleviate food shortages in the State.
SB2479 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
HB2137 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in FIN
HB2590 HD1 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
SB3379 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing
*The Food Basket received an appropriation in the budget (not specifically for farm to food bank)
Pesticide Protections
Policy Lead: HAPA
Improved disclosure of restricted use pesticides (RUP’s) - Failed
Hawaiʻi needs more geographically specific reporting of pesticide use to accurately assess current risk. California requires reporting within a square mile of application. This level of specificity will allow for credible public health/epidemiological studies to be conducted.
HB2646 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing
SB3316 SD1 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in AGR
HB2136 HD1 - DEAD - Died in conference
Increased RUP buffer zones - Failed
Epidemiological studies have revealed that exposure to certain pesticides drifting from over ½ mile can harm human health, with children being amongst the most vulnerable. Certain pesticides are more prone to drift to others. Reporting data has revealed some of the highest rates of application of highly drift prone and carcinogenic pesticides adjacent to residential areas in Hawaiʻi. Increased buffer zones around schools and other sensitive areas provide common sense public health protections for keiki.
HB2299 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing
SB3315 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing JDC/WAM
Reclassify neonics as RUP’s - Failed
Neonicotinoids (“neonics”) are reported to be the largest class of insecticides used globally and are linked to pollinator declines. Vital for a healthy food system, 1 in 3 bites of food is attributed to pollinators. Increasingly a body of research is also finding harmful human health impacts. Because they are not classified as “restricted use pesticides” (RUP) in Hawaii, we have no data on the extent of their use locally or ability to study the potential impacts.
HB1582 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing
SB2366 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in CPN
Support for Food Producers & Regenerative Farming Practices
Policy Lead: Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United (HFUU)
Transportation Cost Reimbursement - Failed
Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Incentive Program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture to reimburse eligible producers for a portion of the producer's costs to transport agricultural commodities.
SB2799 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing
Interisland Shipping Tax Credit for Produce & Ag Goods - Failed
Creates an income tax credit for transportation costs incurred by certain taxpayers who ship agricultural products and inputs between counties.
SB3247 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
Food Manufacturer Tax Credit - Failed
Establishes a food manufacturer tax credit. Defines "qualified taxpayer" as a manufacturer that produces value-added processed, agricultural, or food products.
SB2432 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
Farmer & Producer Tax Credit - Failed
Creates an income tax credit for qualified expenses of eligible farmers, ranchers, and fishers.
SB3302 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
Agricultural Investment Program - Failed
Creates an agricultural investment program to support farmers.
SB2428 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
Healthy Soils Program - Failed
Create a statewide soil health assessment with a list of practices specific to Hawaii and that are most effective in improving soil health and building soil carbon stocks; Provide farmers with education and technical assistance to implement farm management practices that contribute to healthy soils; Establish standards that apply to the healthy soils program and are based on the findings of the greenhouse gas sequestration task force relating to minimum levels of soil carbon and water content and required soil health practices; and subject to available funding, issue awards and other financial incentives to implement farm management practices that contribute to healthy soils.
SB2423 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Policy Leads:
Free the Water Commission - Haumana from Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Lāhainā & Kekaulike supported by the Richardson Law students of ʻAhahui o Hawaiʻi
Fishpond Restoration - Kuaʻāina Ulu Auamo (KUA)
Free the Water Commission - Failed
Would allow the Water Commission to hold water code violators accountable with meaningful fines, and take emergency and timely action during water shortages caused by prolonged droughts, aquifer contamination, rising chloride levels, or other unforeseen events. Moreover, it would protect Water Commission members and staff from the influence of opportunistic and politically connected corporate interests, allowing them to implement the state Water Code in the public’s interest, and without fear of political retribution. A later session draft of this bill also included funds for remediating Red Hill water contamination.
SB3327 SD1 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in JHA
SB2690 SD1 - DEAD Amended in WAL to incorporate key provisions from SB3327 - includes Red Hill remediation funds - Died in Conference
Support Fishpond Restoration - PASSED!
Appropriates funds to the Board of Land and Natural Resources to create a standard lease application and programmatic environmental impact statement to streamline the process of leasing government-owned Hawaiian fishponds, prioritizing community co-managed organizations and projects. HD1 would require a management plan with native Hawaiian practices for leasing of government fishponds.
HB2626 HD1 - PASSED! Awaiting Gov.
Fishpond Hatchery Support - Failed
CIP & positions request for fishpond hatchery support.
SB2329 SD1 - DEAD - Died in conference
HB2631 - Never scheduled for a hearing
Support native Hawaiian Fishpond Practices - Failed
Lease streamlining for fishponds on government owned lands
SB513 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
Support Fishpond Restocking - Failed
Requests an appropriation for procuring fingerlings & limbs for fishpond restocking, and one Aquaculture biologist position.
SB2296 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
Feasibility Study for Restorative Aquaculture - Failed
Requires the DOA’s Aquaculture Development Program to do a feasibility study to identify potential sites for restorative aquaculture.
HB2001 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in FIN
Food System Planning
State Food Systems Planning Bill - Failed
Establishes the Sustainable Food Systems Working Group. Requires a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2025
SB2414 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in WAM
HB2130 HD1 - DEAD - Never scheduled for a hearing in FIN
Good Food Procurement
Policy Lead: Hawaii Farm to School Hui (HIPHI)
Farm to School - Failed
Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a recognition program to incentivize schools to submit to the Department a plan for the school to reach the local farm to school meal goal of thirty percent of food served in the school to consist of locally sourced products by 2030. Requires public high schools under the Department of Education to provide plant based meals as an option under the school meals program.
SB2429 - DEAD Never scheduled for a hearing
HB2083 - DEAD - Died in conference
SB2365 - DEAD Never scheduled for a hearing
Agriculture Education Coordinator Position - Failed
Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaiʻi for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to establish an agriculture education coordinator position.
HB2138 - DEAD Never scheduled for a hearing in FIN
