STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 146-20
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2020
RE: H.B. No. 2740
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirtieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2020
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Lower & Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2740 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee finds that 35 percent of food in public schools is wasted each day, costing the Department of Education millions of dollars each year. Safely sharing unused food that would be wasted with those who need it and implementing on-site campus composting programs that students can be involved with will help divert food waste from landfills, save millions of dollars annually, provide students with valuable and engaging learning experiences, and give farmers and communities fresh carbon-sequestering compost. Additionally, your Committee finds that providing access to healthy plant-based foods in state public schools is an effective way to improve sustainability and student health. This measure will engage students in sustainable living through learning about food waste management and incorporating plant-based alternatives in their diet.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Permitting, rather than requiring, the Department of Education to establish a goal of meaningfully engaging students and incorporating the sustainable schools initiative elements into curriculum across all public schools;
(2) Authorizing the Department of Education to work with the Department of Health on procedures for the sharing of excess food, on-site campus composting program, and food waste mitigation;
(3) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050; and
(4) 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 Lower & Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2740, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2740, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Lower & Higher Education,
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____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair |