Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HR100 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.R. NO. 100 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII HOUSE RESOLUTION urging the department of education to strengthen farm-to-school initiatives.
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3	3	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H.R. NO. 100
4	4	THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
5	5	STATE OF HAWAII
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7	7	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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9	9	H.R. NO.
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11	11	100
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13	13	THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
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17	17	STATE OF HAWAII
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29	29	HOUSE RESOLUTION
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35	35	urging the department of education to strengthen farm-to-school initiatives.
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43	43	WHEREAS, Hawaii currently imports nearly eighty-five to ninety percent of its food, making the State vulnerable to external supply chain disruptions; and WHEREAS, farm-to-school programs provide an opportunity to increase local food procurement and resilience, reduce Hawaii's reliance on imported goods, and strengthen the State's agricultural economy; and WHEREAS, Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, established a goal for at least thirty percent of school meal ingredients to be sourced locally by 2030; and WHEREAS, significant barriers continue to stifle progress in meeting the local food procurement goal, including procurement regulations, distribution logistics, and inconsistent farmer-school partnerships; and WHEREAS, expanding local farm procurement in farm-to-school initiatives would support Hawaii's small and medium-sized farms; and WHEREAS, prioritizing the procurement of locally grown Native Hawaiian crops, such as kalo, uala, and ulu, aligns with Hawaii's commitment to food sovereignty, climate resilience, and indigenous agricultural practices; and WHEREAS, increasing local farm procurement in schools would provide stable, institutional markets for Hawaii farmers, thereby fostering economic growth and workforce development in the State; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Education is urged to take immediate action to strengthen local farm-to-school initiatives; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to: (1) Streamline the procurement process to make it easier for small- and medium-scale farmers to sell to schools, including simplifying contracting requirements and increasing flexibility in sourcing policies; (2) Develop a statewide database of local farms that are eligible and interested in supplying food for school meals to facilitate farm-to-school connections; (3) Increase financial incentives for schools to purchase locally sourced food through grant programs, subsidies, or farm-to-school budget allocations; and (4) Ensure culturally appropriate foods, such as kalo, uala, and ulu, are incorporated into school meal programs; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report on its progress, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Superintendent of Education, and Chairperson of the Board of Education. OFFERED BY: _____________________________
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45	45	WHEREAS, Hawaii currently imports nearly eighty-five to ninety percent of its food, making the State vulnerable to external supply chain disruptions; and
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49	49	WHEREAS, farm-to-school programs provide an opportunity to increase local food procurement and resilience, reduce Hawaii's reliance on imported goods, and strengthen the State's agricultural economy; and
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53	53	WHEREAS, Act 175, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, established a goal for at least thirty percent of school meal ingredients to be sourced locally by 2030; and
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57	57	WHEREAS, significant barriers continue to stifle progress in meeting the local food procurement goal, including procurement regulations, distribution logistics, and inconsistent farmer-school partnerships; and
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61	61	WHEREAS, expanding local farm procurement in farm-to-school initiatives would support Hawaii's small and medium-sized farms; and
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65	65	WHEREAS, prioritizing the procurement of locally grown Native Hawaiian crops, such as kalo, uala, and ulu, aligns with Hawaii's commitment to food sovereignty, climate resilience, and indigenous agricultural practices; and
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69	69	WHEREAS, increasing local farm procurement in schools would provide stable, institutional markets for Hawaii farmers, thereby fostering economic growth and workforce development in the State; now, therefore,
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73	73	BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Education is urged to take immediate action to strengthen local farm-to-school initiatives; and
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77	77	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to:
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81	81	(1) Streamline the procurement process to make it easier for small- and medium-scale farmers to sell to schools, including simplifying contracting requirements and increasing flexibility in sourcing policies;
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85	85	(2) Develop a statewide database of local farms that are eligible and interested in supplying food for school meals to facilitate farm-to-school connections;
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89	89	(3) Increase financial incentives for schools to purchase locally sourced food through grant programs, subsidies, or farm-to-school budget allocations; and
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93	93	(4) Ensure culturally appropriate foods, such as kalo, uala, and ulu, are incorporated into school meal programs; and
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97	97	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report on its progress, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and
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101	101	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Superintendent of Education, and Chairperson of the Board of Education.
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109	109	OFFERED BY: _____________________________
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113	113	OFFERED BY:
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115	115	_____________________________
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119	119	Report Title: Department of Education; Farm-to-School Initiatives
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121	121	Report Title:
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123	123	Department of Education; Farm-to-School Initiatives