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“Free and reduced lunch — a family of four needs to be making $47,000 for free lunch,” Representative Lehi said while urging support, adding that students often arrive hungry and cannot learn without reliable nutrition. Representative Capela argued on the House floor that the issue is straightforward: “No child should be hungry and no child can learn if they are hungry.”

Another member explained the dollar-and-cents mechanics of the reduced-price program on the floor: for an individual student the reduced-price subsidy equals 30¢ for breakfast and 40¢ for lunch, meaning the legislature would pay 70¢ per day for each qualifying student should the measure pass.

Speakers framed the discussion around classroom readiness and student welfare. Representative Lehi described testimony the education committee heard from students and teachers about hungry children and teachers who have had to share food with students or report accounts that cannot be replenished by parents. Representative Litchi (floor procedure interruption) and others reiterated that the bill aims to remove a barrier to learning, not to replace existing free-meal provisions.

The comments occurred while members were considering a package of standing committee reports (nos. 533–631); the transcript does not specify the individual bill number on the floor during these remarks. The House did not hold a separate recorded roll-call vote on the specific school-meal subsidy in the excerpted transcript; the overall package was adopted by voice vote.

Why it matters

Advocates and multiple legislators told colleagues that feeding students is directly tied to educational outcomes. If the legislature funds reduced-price meals, eligible students could have out-of-pocket meal charges covered at a capped per-day rate; proponents said the per-student cost is small compared with the potential classroom benefits.

What was not decided

The transcripted floor action did not include an individual vote on a discrete bill number for the reduced-price subsidy; the discussion took place during broader consideration of standing committee reports. Budget sources, long-term funding commitments, and implementation details (for example, whether the payment would be state-funded or offset by other sources) were not specified on the floor.

Speakers and sourcing

Quotes and floor remarks in this article are attributed to members present on the House floor during the discussion. The transcript records floor statements of support but does not show a discrete final vote on this particular subsidy in the provided excerpt.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Chamber - Thu Feb 13, 2025, 12:00PM HST - Day 19","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the Hawaii House urged support for covering reduced-price school meals while the House considered a package of committee reports, saying hunger prevents students from learning.","taxTitle","House of Representatives, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25702,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340574,"House adopts standing committee reports 533–631 in voice vote; members note reservations on multiple measures",1271,1136000,2407000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259228-e2d71845588714e560337e8b526b6a62&start=1136&end=2407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259228-e2d71845588714e560337e8b526b6a62/thumbnail_1136000.jpg","/articles/6340574/Hawaii/House-adopts-standing-committee-reports-533631-in-voice-vote-members-note-reservations-on-multiple-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340574-787036dccaebeb925609f35bc1f54db0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771225666&Signature=L8729plnbP6Jz~7Y-3a~GxkmqVD-3fgJameKB3YMyLHwQQANBJ2ldqN539OoOJjmVFLkUTbASjg2dKMTbP57MASyVSJSrIsgJx3hIiz2VBj2Viupt5ByrV1WcfrhXhnGRRHMRMPf9uK8gkPi2RfMaWGy8KjjVrMN4NLf8IqT9iVFZSbE6HIqO5gcAHv3wiWGeZu6umufz~X5g37ZyOUDzOuO6Qo44HNYhiUiJGH~P9MQZcwB3psl0dfVBLx-PY0mIZLpjeDduyaVK3dfbF49QwNbFqxEISZom5wcjIwVIDIawXICI8d0fBpZsEgZe78Wi1Xj0eEPi7Rp9h8fw~SiFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Madam Speaker and members of the Hawaii House of Representatives voted by voice on the motion to adopt standing committee report numbers 533 through 631, carrying the motion and advancing the accompanying bills and referrals to their next committees.

Representative Justin Morikawa moved to adopt the reports and Representative Garcia seconded the motion. After limited floor discussion and statements of reservation or opposition on particular reports, the House took a voice vote. “All those in favor say ‘aye.’ All those opposed say ‘no.’ The motion is carried,” the clerk announced.

The motion bundled dozens of standing committee reports (nos. 533–631). During floor consideration, multiple members entered reservations or no votes on specific reports, and several spoke briefly in support or opposition of particular measures. Representative Garcia repeatedly noted “reservations” on a number of reports. Representative Pierrick and others recorded “no” votes on select items; Representative Shimizu, Representative Herrick and Representative Matsumoto each offered brief comments explaining reservations or opposition on specific bills when they rose to speak.

Representative Herrick told the chamber that one measure he opposed “basically has tax dollars towards a child development center or a child watching center where the government can watch your kids,” adding his view that parents should pay for private childcare rather than the government. Representative Shimizu spoke in opposition to a separate report that she said could allow discharge of raw sewage to ocean waters, stating, “I just would like to make a statement that I … don't agree with that.” On another item, Shimizu noted opposition testimony from the fireworks industry and asked that language be clarified to avoid unintentionally prohibiting lawful commercial fireworks productions.

Several members explicitly asked that their reservations or no votes be recorded in the journal for specific standing committee reports. The clerk repeatedly recorded members’ votes as the body moved through the list of committee reports.

The floor action was procedural: adoption of committee reports advances bills for second reading, referral, or other follow-up as listed in each report. The motion was carried by voice vote and the House adjourned until noon the next day.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to adopt standing committee report numbers 533–631: moved by Representative Justin Morikawa; seconded by Representative Garcia; voice vote; outcome: adopted (motion carried). Specific tallies for individual reports were not recorded in the transcript; multiple members recorded “reservations,” “no vote,” or “in opposition” as noted on the floor for particular items.

Context and next steps

Adoption of the standing committee reports does not itself enact policy; it advances the listed house bills and referrals to the committee or floor stage indicated in each report. Members who entered reservations requested additional amendments or clarifications in committee or in subsequent floor action.

The House then moved to other business and adjourned until 12:00 noon the following day.","The Hawaii House of Representatives voted by voice to adopt standing committee reports 533 through 631, advancing a large group of bills to their next procedural step. Several members recorded reservations or no votes on individual reports and raised specific policy concerns during debate.","actionData","errors"]

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House members urge support for covering reduced-price school meals, arguing hunger impedes learning

House adopts standing committee reports 533–631 in voice vote; members note reservations on multiple measures