SB 3257

THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
3257
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to the supplemental nutrition assistance program-education program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
���� SECTION
1.� The legislature finds that the federal
supplemental nutrition assistance program�education (SNAP-Ed) program, active
from 1992 until its discontinuation in 2025, was a critical, evidence-based
program that directly improved the health and well-being of low-income
families.� SNAP-Ed provided essential
nutrition education, promoted healthy eating, improved cooking and budgeting
skills, and expanded access to nutritious foods.
���� The
legislature further finds that SNAP-Ed program outcomes demonstrate positive
impact, with ninety-one per cent of participants improving their diets,
eighty-three per cent of participants gaining skills in meal planning and
budgeting, and forty per cent reporting increased food affordability or
sufficient food for their families.� The
SNAP-Ed program reduced food insecurity and risks of diet-related disease,
delivering tangible benefits across communities.
���� The
legislature additionally finds that the SNAP-Ed program also strengthened local
food systems, supported schools and community organizations.� Nutrition education also is a cost-effective
investment that prevents illness, reduces long-term health spending, and
strengthens families and communities.
���� The
legislature notes that at the state level, the university of Hawaii college of tropical
agriculture and human resilience and the department of health manage SNAP-Ed
programs with a combined 1,570,000,000 budget for 2025.� However, the federal SNAP-Ed program has been
eliminated from the federal budget, dismantling a proven, prevention-focused
program at a time of rising food costs and escalating public health
expenditures and leaving the future of the program at risk in the State and nationally.
���� The
purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii college
of tropical agriculture and human resilience and the department of health to
continue funding for the Hawaii supplemental nutrition assistance
program�education program.
���� SECTION
2.� There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$  or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the university of
Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resilience to continue
implementation of the Hawaii supplemental nutrition assistance
program�education program.
���� The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of
this Act.
���� SECTION
3.� There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$  or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of
health to continue implementation of the Hawaii supplemental nutrition
assistance program�education program.
���� The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of
this Act.
���� SECTION 4.� This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
University
of Hawaii; College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience; Department of
Health; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program�Education Program;
Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates
funds to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience
and the Department of Health to continue their implementation of the Hawaii
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program�Education Program.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.