Bill > SR113

This resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) to provide a comprehensive report to the Legislature detailing the true costs of producing school meals, in response to proposed significant price increases for student lunches. The DOE currently proposes raising lunch prices from $2.50 to $4.75 for K-8 students and from $2.75 to $5.00 for grades 9-12 by the 2028-2029 school year, citing a current lunch production cost of $9.00. The resolution requests a detailed report that includes cost breakdowns for the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 school years, specifically itemizing costs for ingredients (including local sourcing), operations, beverages, materials, supplies, and distribution. Additionally, the report is requested to provide comprehensive data on meal types, including full-price, reduced-price, and free meals, as well as meals subject to and exempt from federal reimbursement. The DOE is asked to submit this report to the Legislature at least 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session, with the goal of ensuring transparency and avoiding unnecessary price increases that could negatively impact Hawaii's working families and students who rely on school meal programs.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SR&billnumber=113&year=2025