HB 1500 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Summary

Repeals the authority of the Department of Education to set the price for school meals, except to provide a lower rate or free meals through rules. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

HB1500 → HB1500_HD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill modifies the rules for setting school meal prices in Hawaii. Previously, the Department of Education had broad authority to set prices to ensure revenue covered at least half the cost of meals. The new version removes the specific requirement to set prices to meet that revenue threshold, though the department retains the power to offer lower rates or free meals to children based on economic need. The bill also changes the effective date of the act to July 1, 3000.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding price-setting authority was narrowed by removing the mandate to ensure meal sales cover a specific portion of costs, while retaining the ability to provide subsidized meals.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that the Department of Education must set meal prices to ensure sales revenue covers at least half the cost of preparing meals.

Clarified that the department's rule-making power is specifically for providing lower rates or free meals to children based on economic need.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the act from 'upon approval' to July 1, 3000.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 569) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 11 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Sayama, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 4

lower

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

10 primary · 0 co-sponsors