Hawaii House Bill HB1188

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/30/23
• Report Pass: 2/14/23
• Refer: 2/14/23

Caption

Relating To The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1188 would significantly impact state laws by instituting a program designed specifically for students facing food insecurity, allowing the State's Department of Human Services to cater to this demographic's unique needs. The program's implementation would require the appropriation of funds from the state's general revenues over the next two fiscal years to facilitate the program's establishment and ongoing operations.

Summary

House Bill 1188 aims to address food insecurity among higher education students in Hawaii by establishing a state corollary to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill recognizes the alarming rate of food insecurity in Hawaii, particularly among certain demographics like students and homemakers, pointing out that 31% of students reported being food insecure. The legislation seeks to ensure that students enrolled more than half-time in higher education institutions can access benefits from this state program if they meet the necessary federal eligibility criteria.

Contention

While there may not be overt points of contention outlined in the attached documents, any proposed appropriation and establishment of new welfare programs typically engenders discussions around fiscal responsibility, potential burdens on state budgets, and the effectiveness of such programs. Stakeholders, including education advocates and fiscal conservatives, are likely to have varying perspectives on the best strategies to combat food insecurity among students, making this bill a topic of interest in future discussions.