HI SB988

Transfers the Hawaii Child Nutrition Programs Agency from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture, effective July 1, 2025.

Establishes the Agency as the state link between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services and local program operators, with authority to conduct audits, provide technical assistance, and disburse federal funds.

Creates a grant program to fund purchases of locally grown food products, equipment for food preparation, professional development on nutrition and farm-to-school connections, and technical assistance to increase participation in federal child nutrition programs.

Limits administrative costs to no more than 2% of grant funding for the grantee, and 1% per project partner for data collection, outreach, and training.

Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the grant program for public schools.