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HCR 117

URGING THE GOVERNOR TO ASSESS FOOD INSECURITY CONDITIONS AND IMPLEMENT A STATEWIDE FOOD SECURITY RESPONSE PLAN.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 11 co-sponsors

Urges Hawaii to assess food insecurity, coordinate a statewide Food Security Response Plan across agencies, identify barriers, and report progress before 2027 session.

The committee(s) on AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 04-17-26 3:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
#foodinsecurity #governor #responseplan
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Bill Summary · HCR 117

Summary of HCR 117 (Session: 2026, Hawaii)

1) Purpose and Intent

  • HCR 117 is a House Concurrent Resolution urging the Governor of Hawaii to assess food insecurity conditions in the state and to implement a statewide Food Security Response Plan.
  • The resolution frames food insecurity as a systemic issue tied to Hawaii’s geographic isolation, dependence on imported food, and vulnerability to supply chain disruptions, price volatility, and emergencies.
  • It seeks a coordinated, data-led approach across state agencies and partners to identify gaps in access, preparedness, and resilience of Hawaii’s food system.

2) Key Provisions and Changes Proposed

As a concurrent resolution, HCR 117 does not itself create new laws but directs actions. The main directives to the Governor include:

  • Assessment and Declaration (Possible Food Security Emergency):

    • Evaluate whether conditions warrant a formal declaration of a food security emergency under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 127A.

  • Inter agency Coordination:

    • Direct relevant state agencies to coordinate food stabilization efforts. Specifically named agencies include:
    • Department of Agriculture and Bioscience
    • Department of Human Services
    • Department of Health
    • Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism
    • Hawaii Emergency Management Agency

  • Short-Term Actions to Increase Access:

    • Identify and implement immediate actions to boost food access in high-need communities.

  • Regulatory Barriers to Local Production:

    • Identify regulatory barriers that impede expanding local food production and consider necessary changes.

  • Reporting to the Legislature:

    • The Governor must submit a report on progress implementing the statewide Food Security Response Plan no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2027. The report should include findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation.

3) Who or What Would Be Affected

  • State Government and Agencies: The measure explicitly requires coordination across multiple state departments and the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, with a focus on aligning policies and actions related to food security.
  • High-Need Communities: Expected impact through targeted short-term actions to improve food access.
  • Local Food Production: Identification of regulatory barriers could lead to changes that make it easier to expand local agriculture and food production.
  • Legislature and Governor: The reporting requirement creates a formal accountability mechanism, linking executive action to legislative oversight.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: The resolution is introduced in the Hawaii House and referred to committees (AEN, with involvement from PBS and FIN as it progresses).
  • Committee Process: The bill has undergone multiple committee reviews, with referrals to the relevant committees for evaluation and potential amendments.
  • Reporting Schedule:
    • The Governor is requested to submit a progress report on the statewide Food Security Response Plan no later than 20 days before the convening of the Regular Session 2027.
  • Constitutional/Legal Footing: The resolution contemplates the possibility of a formal food security emergency declaration under Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, should conditions warrant.

5) Additional Context

  • The resolution emphasizes Hawaii’s unique vulnerabilities: geographic isolation, reliance on imported food and fuel, and exposure to disruptions that affect food availability and affordability.
  • TheBill is sponsored with multiple co-sponsors and has received prior consideration and approvals within committee structures as part of the standard legislative process.

If you’d like, I can provide a plain-language interpretation of what the potential emergency declaration process entails under Chapter 127A, or map out potential policy areas that could be affected by addressing the identified regulatory barriers to local production.

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

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