Video & Transcript : 'food support' :

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NY
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture - 02/25/2026

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • and be able to support the sector and the ecosystem.
  • I know Assemblymember Cruz is very supportive.
  • So this opportunity to support maple production is important.
  • Our role is to support food entrepreneurs statewide, including through our Food Spark program with scholarships
  • Is there data to support that? Is something helpful?
Committee: Senate Agriculture
Summary: The Senate Agriculture Committee met and first took up five bills. It reported S.593 (land used in agricultural production), S.879A (the Garden Protection Act), S.3277 (transfer-on-death beneficiaries for farming implements), and S.4754 (creating an Office of Urban Agriculture). S.1529A, the Carbon Farming Act, was moved to the Finance Committee. The committee briefly discussed S.4754, with Senator Borrello asking about its status and members noting strong support for urban agriculture and food-system resilience; the bill was then reported to Finance by voice vote. The committee then heard from Julie Suarez, Associate Dean for Land Grant Affairs at Cornell CALS, who described Cornell’s role in research, extension, and public service across New York agriculture. She highlighted Cornell’s economic impact, growth in FFA participation including new urban chapters, dairy investment, and the potential of the maple industry, while emphasizing the need for continued agricultural science funding to address climate change, invasive species, and market challenges. She also pointed members to Cornell programs supporting food entrepreneurs, soil health, small farms, veterans entering agriculture, and community integrated pest management. Members asked questions about tick increases, with Suarez attributing them to deer, rodents, climate change, and invasive species, and said Cornell’s community IPM program offers landscaping and prevention guidance. She also explained Cornell’s land-grant and contract-college structure, including its statutory mission and state support. The meeting ended after members expressed interest in further outreach and informational sessions, and the committee adjourned.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am

Joint Committee on Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • Individuals receive comprehensive and culturally responsive support.
  • So I recently provided written testimony in support of those bills.
  • to our school districts so that they can better support... ...support kids and ensuring that there are
  • So as a food allergy patient myself, we all need treatment options.
  • All right, so the public health costs of food allergy affect us all.
Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health
Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held an introductory informational hearing for the new session, with Chairs Marjorie Decker and Senator Michael Driscoll outlining the committee’s scope and emphasizing the impact of the federal landscape on Massachusetts public health. They noted the hearing would focus on testimony from agencies and advocates, with short testimony limits due to the hybrid format. No votes were taken; the meeting was for briefing and discussion of priorities. Commissioner Robbie Goldstein of the Department of Public Health described the department’s budget and federal funding, warning that recent CDC grant terminations could cut nearly $100 million and affect lab testing, surveillance, vaccines, and community engagement. He highlighted DPH priorities including racial equity, maternal health, substance use and child welfare coordination, emergency preparedness, data transparency, and public hospital quality. MassHealth Assistant Secretary Michael Levine discussed MassHealth’s role covering about 2 million residents and its priorities in health equity, behavioral health, primary care, member independence, and customer service, while noting the agency relies heavily on federal Medicaid dollars and would face major strain from federal cuts. Several advocacy and provider groups focused on reproductive health and maternal health. Planned Parenthood warned of threats to Title X, 340B savings, and other federal funding, and supported a bill to eliminate parental consent and judicial bypass for abortion care for young people. Reproductive Equity Now urged stronger shield-law protections and changes to Massachusetts’ later-abortion framework. Dr. Indyamaka Anugaka called for full implementation of the maternal health law, better reimbursement for doulas and midwives, stronger data collection, and support for full-spectrum pregnancy care coverage. The Health Policy Commission said new maternal health and primary care task forces would begin work soon. Mental health and health system access were also major themes. The Mass Medical Society urged action on vaccine hesitancy, removal of non-medical school vaccine exemptions, and primary care reform. The Massachusetts Association for Mental Health and the Children’s Mental Health Campaign opposed proposed cuts to DMH and substance use services, called for more school-based supports, and raised concerns about inpatient capacity, including a unit serving LGBTQ youth. The Massachusetts Nurses Association and 1199 SEIU warned that staffing shortages, low wages, workplace violence, hospital closures, and possible Medicaid cuts threaten patient care and the health care workforce. The Betsy Lehman Center also urged investment in automated patient-safety monitoring to reduce harm and costs.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session 5/16/26 - Part 3

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><c> and</c> local food shelves, food banks, and local food shelves, food banks, and hunger<01:08:15.160
  • So, you know, my food shelf, we get about 65% of our food from food rescue.
  • get more good protein into those food shelves to help support our neighbors that are in need.
  • get more good protein into those food shelves to help support our neighbors that are in need.
  • get more good protein into those food shelves to help support our neighbors that are in need.
NM
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Nov 10th, 2025

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • for their families and avoid food insecurity.
  • Jill Dixon, who is the president of the Food Bank Association in the state and runs our food bank here
  • New Mexico, though, has the ability to provide support in this moment.
  • Food is not a partisan issue, and blue states and red states together.
  • It reduces poverty, supports health, and stimulates our economy.
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Mar 19th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • very supportive of our colleges.
  • There are people that were very supportive and other folks who are not supportive.
  • Food Pathway Program.
  • School Food Pathway Program.
  • The Healthy School Food Pathway Program was designed to help build that workforce while supporting districts
NM
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 5th, 2026 at 11:33 am

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • President, I do rise in support of Bueno Foods. Today, from what I understand. But, Mr.
  • President, I do rise in support.
  • Green chile supports jobs in agriculture, food production, transportation, and tourism.
  • When we support green chile, we support our people, our land, and our culture. And, Mr.
  • And so I stand in deep support.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • security and food support.
  • The need for food support in the community is greater than ever.
  • security and food support.
  • support in support the need for S food support in our<01:40:59.440><c> community</c><01:41:00.119><c
  • </c><01:46:48.280><c> so</c><01:46:48.480><c> can</c> food supports not more Outreach so can food supports
Bills: HF22 , HF45
Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy
HI
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDN Public Hearing - Thu Mar 19, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Transcript Highlights:
  • in support.
  • We support. school authority. We support.
  • </c> support in person. support in person.
  • </c> testimony support. testimony support.
  • We have Hawaii Food Plus Policy by Foundation offering testimony support.
Summary: The committee on Education met on March 19 and moved through several bills under time pressure, hearing mostly brief testimony. SB 2024 SD2 and SB 896 SD2, both concerning public-private partnerships for charter school facilities, drew support from the Department of Education, the Charter School Commission, White Kids Can, and Hawaii Technology Academy. DOE said any P3 model should apply only to charter schools on private land and not affect public schools on DOE land. Supporters argued the approach could speed construction, reduce costs, and keep public money in public assets, while UPW and HGA raised concerns about privatization. In response, SFA said the intent was to mirror the existing conversion charter school model, with public ownership of assets and unionized staff, and noted some regions have waited years for schools. SB 2613 SD1 on TMK transfers was heard next. DOE said the bill had originally been supported as part of the governor’s package but was amended to require DOE to convey lands for 13 libraries on DOE property, which DOE said would create “donut holes” in campuses and was unnecessary because existing agreements already govern library use. The State Public Library System supported the bill, saying it has long coexisted with DOE but needs clearer separation and more reliable control over its sites. The Attorney General’s office said the library system currently lacks express statutory authority to own real property and flagged implementation issues because some of the affected parcels are not currently owned by DOE. Committee members questioned both sides about current agreements, communication, and how the bill would change operations. SB 494 SD2, concerning charter school audits, received comments from the Charter School Commission, which said the bill was redundant because charter schools already undergo annual audits during the term of their contracts. The Office of the Auditor was also present. SB 2391 SD2, relating to automatic pay increases for teachers, drew strong opposition from the Office of Collective Bargaining, which said step movement and longevity increases are negotiated in each contract and do not automatically carry over when a contract expires; it warned the bill could affect upcoming negotiations with HSTA. HSTA and several other supporters argued the bill would standardize annual step movement, improve retention, and reflect existing contract language. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance Apr 29th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Needs, and let's support you.
  • To support schools in procuring more locally sourced, whole, or minimally processed foods for freshly
  • supporting local economies.
  • What is the support for that, the other end of our food service? I can take that.
  • Association of Food Banks.
NY
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 03/18/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • food ends up in the landfills, and we're working to increase support for vital programs like Nourish
  • New York and Double Up Food Bucks, which has supported our farmers and have made sure that people across
  • FOOD ENDS UP IN THE LANDFILLS AND WE'RE WORKING TO INCREASE SUPPORT FOR VITAL PROGRAMS LIKE NOURISH
  • NEW YORK AND DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCK WHICH IS SUPPORTED OUR FARMERS, AND HAVE MADE SURE THAT PEOPLE ACROSS
  • -- HEALTHY FOOD.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal, then moved through a series of introductions and resolutions recognizing Women’s History Month honorees, Prince Hall Masons and Eastern Stars, Agriculture Week, Pakistan-American Heritage Day, visiting Mercaz Academy students, and the 175th anniversary of Albany Law School. Several senators spoke in support of the commemorations, and each resolution was adopted. The chamber then took up a number of bills on the calendar. Among the measures passed were bills related to insurance, private housing finance, public health, mental hygiene, real property, elder law, public authorities, and environmental conservation. One bill on the Environmental Conservation Law drew a procedural challenge over a proposed amendment; the Chair’s ruling that the amendment was nongermane was upheld by a show of hands, after which the bill passed. Another bill amending the Emergency Tenant Protection Act was debated on the issue of vacant rent-stabilized units and LLC ownership transparency, with supporters saying it would help identify responsible owners and opponents arguing it was too broad and could impose unclear penalties; it ultimately passed. The most extended debate centered on a real property bill concerning electronic rent payment systems and automated clearinghouse fees. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure that lets tenants choose whether to use such systems, while critics questioned how fees would be handled and whether the bill would affect landlord costs. After debate, the bill passed. A public health bill sponsored by Senator Webb also passed after she explained it was intended to improve transparency and oversight of changes to maternity and perinatal services amid concerns about maternal health deserts and hospital closures. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until the next day.
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 28th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, House Bill 3720 statutorily updates the Homemade Freedom Food Act and calls it the Local Food
  • This measure modifies the gross annual sales prepared food threshold for local food establishments from
  • More related to safe handling of food and packaging of the foods that would be covered under this act
  • of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.
  • freedom food program.
Bills: HB2894 , HB3418 , HB3415 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB1739 , HB1752 , HB1979 , HB2941 , HB2992 , HB3075 , HB3086 , HB3177 , HB3269 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3497 , HB3644 , HB4432 , HB3720 , HB3849 , HB3882 , HB3919 , HB3941 , HB4118 , HB4141 , HB4268 , HB4342 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB4434
Summary: The Senate began with ceremonial recognitions for several student groups and community visitors, including Carl Albert High School’s boys and girls swim teams, the Lady Titans basketball team, and the Choctaw High School speech and debate team. Senators and coaches highlighted the teams’ state championships, academic achievements, and perseverance, and the chamber also welcomed visiting groups from Aline, Owasso, and Tulsa County. After the presentations, the Senate returned to general order and took up a series of House bills. Among the measures considered, House Bill 3720 expanded the Local Food Freedom Act by raising the gross annual sales threshold for local food establishments from under $75,000 to $250,000; it passed 39-4. House Bill 3849 updated the Oklahoma mentoring children of incarcerated parents program and passed 42-1. House Bill 3882 created a revolving fund for industrial and lake access improvement projects and passed 33-9, then also passed the emergency clause 39-4. House Bill 3919 reduced county free fair association boards from nine members to five to address quorum problems and passed 45-0. House Bill 3941 codified a pay raise for a court secretary and passed 45-0, including its emergency clause. House Bill 4118 updated the family caregiver tax credit and passed 44-1. House Bill 4141 removed the sunset on the statewide sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator position and passed 45-0. The chamber also debated several policy bills more extensively. House Bill 4268 created a growth-based teacher compensation program using Oklahoma Teacher Empowerment Funds and restored a $5,000 stipend for national board-certified teachers; it passed 45-0 and its emergency clause also passed 45-0. House Bill 4342 allowed prior instances of domestic violence or abuse to be admitted as propensity evidence in court, with supporters saying it would help interrupt the cycle of abuse and opponents raising due process concerns; it passed after debate. House Bill 4428 required public pension plans to base proxy voting decisions solely on financial considerations, and House Bill 4429 required proxy advisors to disclose when recommendations were not based on financial analysis; both passed after debate, 35-8 and 37-7 respectively. Two Rule 7-9 motions to pull House Bills 4422 and 4423 from committee and place them on general order failed by recorded vote. The Senate then announced Denim Day for domestic violence and sexual assault awareness, noted a few final reminders, and adjourned until April 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Feb 23rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • In engrossed substitute House Bill 2238 concerns statewide food security.
  • It directs WSDA to develop a statewide food security strategy and to monitor food system performance,
  • The bill differs from the striker that you heard in only one way: it requires the statewide food security
  • We have Katie Raines, the Director of Food System Initiatives with the Washington State Department of
  • And then we focused on a straightforward application with supportive assistance in applying, and that
Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reviewed several House bills in executive session. Staff briefed bills on aviation assurances for wildland fire response (HB 2104), derelict vessels (HB 2199), irrigation district director spouse employment conflicts (HB 2223), statewide food security strategy (HB 2238), water quality and game farms (HB 2343), timber sales efficiencies (HB 2348), treaty reserve fishing rights and repeal of Initiative 456 (HB 2554), and a task force on reducing regulatory stress in agriculture (HB 2619). Members noted that HB 2238 had been heard previously as a striker but was now being considered as the engrossed substitute. Several bills had no amendments and little or no fiscal impact, while others carried modest fiscal notes. The committee took action on most bills: HB 2104, HB 2199, HB 2238, HB 2348, HB 2554, and HB 2619 all received due pass recommendations and were sent either to Ways and Means or Rules, with votes recorded by voice and no opposition noted. The committee took no action on HB 2223 or HB 2343. Members also thanked staff and acknowledged departing senators for their service. In the work session, the Washington State Department of Agriculture presented an overview of the 2024 local farms, workers, and food overtime reimbursement grant. WSDA described how it used targeted outreach, cross-agency coordination, and a streamlined application to administer the one-time program, which reimbursed qualifying overtime wages for hand-harvest vegetable farms selling to local markets and schools. The agency reported that 24 farms received about $213,000 total, and members asked about lessons learned, including how the experience might inform future grant design and broader agricultural support programs.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/10/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm very much interested in learning more about our food policy, how we can support urban farmers, as
  • </c><00:03:59.879><c> Urban</c> food policy how we can support Urban food policy how we can support Urban
  • That would be my favorite food.
  • That would be my favorite food.
  • uh support uh biodiversity uh support uh support uh biodiversity uh support and<00:47:57.119><c> and<
Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy
OK
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture REVISED: HB3902 - Added Feb 16th, 2026 at 03:00 pm

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate all of you. Okay.
  • flexibility to producers in where and how they produce their local food.
  • I have not considered whether this could be used to provide food to schools.
  • I don't see a... used to provide food to schools?
  • The food that our kids eat in school is less than desirable.
Bills: HB3056 , HB3391 , HB3657 , HB3617 , HB4055 , HB3720 , HB3902
Committee: House Agriculture
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses May 7th, 2026

Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm here to support the Enough Act.
  • Bank, studying food insecurity.
  • Evidence-based integrated student support results in a personalized set of supports and opportunities
  • This includes connections to food, clothing, and eviction prevention support, enrollment in after-school
  • We support passage of the Enough Act and its inclusion of evidence-based integrated student support,
Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses
Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held its final hearing of the session on H. 5187 and S. 3022, the Enough Act, which would create a grant program to support place-based, cradle-to-career anti-poverty initiatives in high-need communities. Chairs Andy Vargas and Sen. Adam Gómez opened the hearing by thanking committee members and stakeholders, and several lawmakers, including Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, and Rep. Antonio Cabral, described the bill as a bottom-up approach that would let local organizations, schools, and community partners direct resources where they are most needed. They emphasized that poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, and chronic absenteeism are interconnected and that the bill is intended to build local “backbone” infrastructure rather than fund isolated programs. A series of educators, school leaders, and nonprofit advocates testified in support, including leaders from Chelsea Public Schools, Bunker Hill Community College, Strategies for Children, AFT Massachusetts, United Way, the Boston Foundation, the New Commonwealth Fund, Give Black Alliance, Eastern Bank Foundation, and the Greater Boston Food Bank. They argued that schools alone cannot overcome the effects of concentrated poverty and pointed to research showing that children arrive at school already affected by poverty-related gaps. Several witnesses described existing local efforts in Chelsea, Boston, New Bedford, Springfield, Haverhill, and Lowell, and said the Enough Act would help coordinate services, align data and goals, and strengthen community voice. Some also noted that the bill could leverage philanthropic and private investment and cited Maryland and Harlem Children’s Zone as models. The hearing also featured testimony from Harlem Children’s Zone CEO Kwame Owusu-Kesse and founder Jeffrey Canada, who said the model has shown that sustained, coordinated supports can reduce the role of luck in children’s outcomes and should be scaled in Massachusetts. Committee members asked about sustainability, funding, and how the bill would interact with existing efforts such as community schools, the Student Opportunity Act, and McKinney-Vento homelessness supports. Witnesses responded that the bill would complement those programs by creating a broader, community-led framework and that long-term sustainability would require public, philanthropic, and private support. No vote was taken during the hearing.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Environment and Agriculture (03/31/2026)

Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> supports this bill as written. supports this bill as written.
  • </c> in food safety. in food safety.
  • Um, in that food code, 2017 food code.
  • support support of<02:08:44.520><c> SB</c><02:08:45.000><c> 475.
  • We support 624.
Committee: House Environment and Agriculture
WY
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee, June 12, 2026

Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> of food safety. of food safety.
  • The Wyoming Food Freedom Act defines homemade food Homemade food is food that is prepared and processed
  • </c> for food safety. for food safety.
  • Food policy is food law.
  • Rocky Mountain Farmers Union's member-driven policy does support efforts to expand the Wyoming Food Freedom
Committee: Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • We support them, and I also support the Burkel amendment. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  • We support them, and I also support the Burkel amendment. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  • We support them, and I also support the Burkel amendment. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  • We support them, and I also support the Burkel amendment. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  • We support them, and I also support the Burkel amendment. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Bills: HF3548
Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy
HI
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

AEN, AEN-HWN Public Hearings 01-24-2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Lauren Zerel from the White Food Industry Association, in support. Tom Yacho on Zoom.
  • Allison Fry, in support. Lauren Zerel from Hawaii Food Industry Association, opposed.
  • producers food hubs islands and support producers food hubs and<00:24:01.360><c> others</c><00:24:01.600
  • in support, Lauren Zerbo from Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, Pamela Tpap from Maui Chamber
  • LLC also in support Lauren zerbo from LLC also in support Lauren zerbo from Hawaii<00:25:46.559><c> food
Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee heard five bills on January 24, 2025. SB 1 would phase out disposable air filters and require reusable air filters by 2030; testimony was limited, with one supporter urging clearer definitions of fiberglass and paper and several opponents listed, and the committee later deferred the bill indefinitely for lack of support testimony. SB 13 would create an aquaculture investment tax credit beginning in 2026; state agencies and several industry groups supported it, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about loose definitions, internal inconsistencies, and blanks that made the bill hard to estimate or vet. The committee passed SB 13 with amendments and technical changes, and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2015 as stated on the record. SB 177 would shift aquatic livestock import and movement permitting to the Department of Agriculture’s Animal Industry Division, require a risk-based assessment and biocontainment standards, and seek a $1 million appropriation for research and staffing. The Department of Agriculture said the bill would help expand aquaculture while managing risks to native species; aquaculture and farm groups supported it, while Animal Rights Hawaii was listed in opposition. The committee passed SB 177 with amendments, blanking the appropriation for committee report consideration, and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 184 would raise the beverage container deposit and refund from 5 cents to 10 cents. Supporters said the higher deposit could improve recycling and environmental outcomes, while opponents, including the Tax Foundation, cited fraud concerns, the program’s existing fund balance, and practical challenges in redemption; the Department of Human Services also noted potential impacts on blind vendors. The committee took the bill up but deferred decision-making until Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10:01 p.m. in Room 224. The committee also heard SB 250, which would increase the income tax credit for interisland transportation costs for agricultural products. Agricultural and industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to offset rising shipping costs and preserve access to markets, while the Tax Foundation preferred direct appropriations over tax credits and objected to missing bill details. The committee passed SB 250 with amendments from the Department of Agriculture and deferred its effective date to July 1, 2050. Separately, a joint hearing on SB 240, the Right to Farm bill, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Agriculture supported further study and raised concerns about the bill’s fragmented approach, while farm, cattle, and other industry witnesses split between support for protecting customary Native Hawaiian subsistence farming and opposition to excluding CAFOs and certain business structures. No vote was taken on SB 240 in the portion provided.
HI
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EDU-AEN, EDU Public Hearings 02-10-2025

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill would support the department in helping us to purchase the type of foods that may not be on
  • This bill would support the department in helping us to purchase the type of foods that may not be on
  • This bill would support the department in helping us to purchase the type of foods that may not be on
  • ><c> thank</c> become food food safety certified thank become food food safety certified thank you<00
  • We also have Janine Mariano, Hawaii Food Policy, in support, not present.
Committee: Senate Education
Summary: The joint committees heard Senate Bill 659, which would exempt the Department of Education from the electronic procurement system for purchases of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed agricultural or food products up to $100,000, and require geographic preference guidelines for locally sourced products. The Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and State Procurement Office all testified in support or support of the intent. DOE said the bill would give it short-term flexibility to buy local items not currently on the vendor list, such as poi and limu, while procurement staff said they would provide written comments and a corrected version of their testimony. Committee members questioned why the bill was needed, why the threshold would rise from the current $24,999 small-purchase limit to $100,000, and whether the department should instead amend its vendor list or RFP process. Members raised concerns about efficiency, administrative burden, whether the bill was a temporary fix for procurement planning gaps, and whether purchases would remain compliant with federal USDA rules if federal school-lunch funds were used. DOE responded that the measure would help it expand local purchasing, support farmers, and allow purchases of products not currently available through existing distributors, and said it was working with partners on food-safety certification and federal compliance. The committees then voted to pass SB 659 with amendments. The Joint Committee on Education approved it 3-2, and the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Environment later approved the amended measure 4-0. The chair noted an amendment and a deferred effective date, and the motion was adopted.