HI HB2771

Appropriates funds from the State's general revenues to the Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program (DA BUX double up food bucks program)

Provides matching funds to supplemental nutrition assistance program beneficiaries who purchase Hawaii-grown fruits and vegetables at participating retailers

Aims to address food insecurity by expanding a program that offers dollar-for-dollar matches on local produce purchases, with a $2,000,000 state investment projected to leverage federal matching funds contributing at least $12,800,000 to the local economy annually

Finds that 85-95% of Hawaii's food supply is imported, the state faces $83,000,000 in annual costs related to food insecurity, and federal SNAP emergency benefits expired in March 2023, reducing benefits by $16,000,000 monthly statewide

Declares that the appropriation will exceed the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 and provides justification that the appropriation serves the public interest and addresses identified needs