HB 2296HawaiiProcess complete

Department schools would collect at least one-quarter of meal costs

If approved, Hawaii's Department of Education would set school-meal prices so sales cover at least one-quarter of preparation costs.

What it does

Department schools would set meal prices so sales cover at least one-quarter of preparation costs. Rules must still provide lower-priced or free meals based on a child's economic need.

Argument forA lower minimum revenue target could give the department room to charge less for meals, which may help more students participate.

Argument againstFamilies may not see lower prices because the provision sets a minimum revenue level but does not require the department to reduce every meal price.

More detail

The Department of Education would set school-meal prices so sales bring in at least one-quarter of meal preparation costs. The provision applies to school meals in Department of Education schools. The department may adjust prices each year using the previous year's costs, rounded to the nearest five cents. Department rules must provide lower-priced or free meals to children based on economic need. The provision would take effect when the Act is approved.

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Where it stands

IntroducedJan 26
Passed HouseMar 6
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJul 14

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 14Act 236, 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1338).Latest
2. Jul 14Act 236, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1338).Became Law
3. Apr 27Received notice of House agreement and passage on Final Reading (Hse. Com. No. 824).Minor
4. Apr 24Received notice of House reconsideration of action in disagreeing to the amendments proposed by the Senate (Hse. Com. No. 822).Minor
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 2. Result: pass.Lower
5. Apr 24House agrees to Senate amendment(s).
6. Apr 24Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 2 with Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Gedeon voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kapela excused (1).Major
7. Apr 24Transmitted to Governor.
8. Apr 23Reconsideration of action taken on 04-16-26.
9. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
10. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
11. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Reconsider: Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
12. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 676) in amended form (SD 2).
13. Apr 9Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3676) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
14. Apr 948 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
15. Apr 6The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
16. Apr 1The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 04-06-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.Minor
17. Mar 30Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3391) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
18. Mar 30The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-01-26 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
19. Mar 30Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
20. Mar 25The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Fukunaga.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
21. Mar 20The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-25-26 1:12PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
22. Mar 10Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 200).Minor
23. Mar 10Passed First Reading.Minor
24. Mar 10Referred to EDU, WAM.Minor
25. Mar 6Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 954-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Reconsider: Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
26. Mar 6Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso, Sayama excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
27. Mar 4The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
28. Mar 2Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Wednesday, 03-04-26 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
29. Feb 17Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 316-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
30. Feb 17Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lee, M., Poepoe excused (3).Minor
31. Feb 10The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
32. Feb 6Bill scheduled to be heard by EDN on Tuesday, 02-10-26 2:15PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
33. Jan 30Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 5Minor
34. Jan 28Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
35. Jan 26Pending introduction.Introduced

EducationEnvironment & EnergyMental Health

Issue with this bill?

HB 2296HawaiiProcess complete

Department schools would collect at least one-quarter of meal costs

If approved, Hawaii's Department of Education would set school-meal prices so sales cover at least one-quarter of preparation costs.

What it does

Department schools would set meal prices so sales cover at least one-quarter of preparation costs. Rules must still provide lower-priced or free meals based on a child's economic need.

Argument forA lower minimum revenue target could give the department room to charge less for meals, which may help more students participate.

Argument againstFamilies may not see lower prices because the provision sets a minimum revenue level but does not require the department to reduce every meal price.

More detail

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 26
Passed HouseMar 6
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJul 14

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 14Act 236, 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1338).Latest
2. Jul 14Act 236, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1338).Became Law
3. Apr 27Received notice of House agreement and passage on Final Reading (Hse. Com. No. 824).Minor
4. Apr 24Received notice of House reconsideration of action in disagreeing to the amendments proposed by the Senate (Hse. Com. No. 822).Minor
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 2. Result: pass.Lower
5. Apr 24House agrees to Senate amendment(s).
6. Apr 24Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 2 with Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Gedeon voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kapela excused (1).Major
7. Apr 24Transmitted to Governor.
8. Apr 23Reconsideration of action taken on 04-16-26.
9. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
10. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
11. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Reconsider: Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
12. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 676) in amended form (SD 2).
13. Apr 9Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3676) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
14. Apr 948 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
15. Apr 6The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
16. Apr 1The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 04-06-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.Minor
17. Mar 30Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3391) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
18. Mar 30The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-01-26 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
19. Mar 30Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
20. Mar 25The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Fukunaga.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
21. Mar 20The committee(s) on EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-25-26 1:12PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
22. Mar 10Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 200).Minor
23. Mar 10Passed First Reading.Minor
24. Mar 10Referred to EDU, WAM.Minor
25. Mar 6Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 954-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Reconsider: Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
26. Mar 6Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso, Sayama excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
27. Mar 4The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Lower
28. Mar 2Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Wednesday, 03-04-26 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
29. Feb 17Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 316-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
30. Feb 17Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lee, M., Poepoe excused (3).Minor
31. Feb 10The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
32. Feb 6Bill scheduled to be heard by EDN on Tuesday, 02-10-26 2:15PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
33. Jan 30Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 5Minor
34. Jan 28Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
35. Jan 26Pending introduction.Introduced

EducationEnvironment & EnergyMental Health

Issue with this bill?

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History