An Update on the 2024 Hawaii State Legislative Session

With just a few weeks left in the 2024 Hawaii state legislative session we wanted to give you an update on where things stand.

First the good news:

We have two key funding asks still moving and being heard by conference committees where the amount budgeted will be negotiated before legislators vote on the final state budget.

  • Funding for the Da Bux program that helps families receiving food assistance buy more fruits and vegetables.
  • Funding for the summer EBT program, this program gives extra EBT benefits to families who have children that qualify for free and reduced cost school meals. This will help ensure that fewer keiki go hungry when school is out for the summer when school meals are not available.

The bad news:

Unfortunately many of the bills addressing our top issues did not make it this session but that doesn't mean we are giving up. We will be back next year to continue the work.

  • Repeal the law passed in 2018 that took away power from the counties to make local decisions on tobacco issues.
  • Expand access to no-cost school meals for students.
  • Establish a paid leave program. (This program would allow people in Hawaii to take time off with pay to welcome a new child into the family, take care of a loved one who is sick or take time off to recover from a health issue themselves.)
  • Restrict the sale of all flavored tobacco and vaping products did not pass out of committee. While disappointing we remain hopeful that the bill that would return local control on the issue of flavored tobacco products will pass. Two counties, Hawaii and Honolulu, have passed flavored tobacco restrictions that will go into effect if local control is returned.

We will be in touch with more updates and opportunities for you to take action and help with these issues.

Thank you for being part of our relentless force for longer, healthier lives.

 

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