Bill > SB881

This bill establishes the Hawaii Food Security Special Fund to address the declining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit levels in Hawaii, which have been reducing since federal fiscal year 2024. The fund will be used to supplement existing monthly federal SNAP benefits to restore them to the levels provided in federal fiscal year 2023 for eligible households. The bill highlights that Hawaii is the only state experiencing SNAP benefit reductions, with nearly one in three Hawaii households being food insecure in 2023 and 98,440 families currently participating in the program. The special fund will be financed through legislative appropriations, grants, gifts, and other sources, and will be administered by the Department of Human Services through the electronic benefit transfer system. The department will be required to submit an annual report to the legislature about the fund's status. The bill aims to provide immediate support to food-insecure families, help local food retailers, and support Hawaii's agricultural economy by creating a backstop for SNAP recipients in case of significant federal funding cuts. The fund will take effect on July 1, 2025, and will be operational for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=881&year=2026