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SR 113

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE A DETAILED REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE TRUE COST OF PRODUCING SCHOOL MEALS TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND AVOID UNNECESSARY PRICE INCREASES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Henry Aquino and 9 co-sponsors

Hawaii legislature urges Department of Education to provide detailed school meal production cost analysis to ensure pricing transparency and prevent unnecessary student meal price increases.

Report and Resolution Adopted.
#departmentofeducation #report #schoolmeals
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Bill Summary · SR 113

Legislative bill overview

SR 113 urges Hawaii's Department of Education to conduct and submit a detailed financial report to the legislature analyzing the actual costs of producing school meals. The resolution aims to establish transparency regarding meal production expenses to inform future policy decisions and prevent unjustified price increases to students and families.

Why is this important

School meal costs directly affect family budgets and student nutrition access, making cost transparency essential for informed policymaking. Understanding true production costs helps legislators identify whether price increases stem from genuine operational needs or other factors, enabling evidence-based decisions about meal pricing, subsidies, and program sustainability.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The resolution doesn't specify whether "true cost" includes labor, facilities overhead, transportation, waste management, or only ingredient costs—different calculations yield vastly different figures
  • Implementation burden: Detailed cost accounting across hundreds of schools may require significant staff time and resources, potentially delaying other DOE priorities
  • Accountability gaps: The resolution requests a report but contains no enforcement mechanisms if recommendations are ignored or if price increases occur despite findings

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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