THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2211
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
making an emergency appropriation to the department of human services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution.
SECTION 2. The legislature finds that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides critical support to millions of individuals and families across the United States, helping to ensure access to adequate food and nutrition for households experiencing economic hardship. The legislature further finds that in the State, tens of thousands of households participate in SNAP and depend on these benefits to maintain food security and support healthy development for children and other vulnerable family members.
The legislature recognizes that a recent federal government shutdown has resulted in disruptions to the timely distribution of SNAP benefits, threatening the food security of households who rely on these payments for essential nutrition. These delays and lapses in benefits have created immediate hardship, particularly for low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. The legislature also finds that interruptions in SNAP benefits may have long-term consequences that remain even after the government is no longer shut down, including increased reliance on emergency food services, elevated health risks, and greater economic instability for affected families.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to make an emergency appropriation to the department of human services to provide emergency assistance to households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and to expand food delivery services through its contracted community-based providers, including to supplement or expand the Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program. Without an emergency appropriation, the department of human services will be unduly impeded in mitigating the negative impacts of the federal lapse of SNAP benefits for the State's SNAP benefit recipient households.
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 2025-2026 to provide emergency assistance to households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and to expand food delivery services through its contracted community-based providers, including to supplement or expand the Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
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Report Title:
DHS; Emergency Appropriation
Description:
Makes an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services to provide emergency assistance to households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and to expand food delivery services through its contracted community-based providers, including to supplement or expand the Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program.
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