HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                 THE TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE
                  REGULAR SESSION OF 1999

                    COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
             Rep. Alexander C. Santiago, Chair
             Rep. Brian Y. Yamane, Vice Chair

  Rep. Dennis A. Arakaki        Rep. David D. Stegmaier
  Rep. Michael P. Kahikina      Rep. Bertha F.K. Leong
  Rep. Bertha C. Kawakami       Rep. Bob McDermott
  Rep. Marilyn B. Lee

                     NOTICE OF HEARING

        DATE:  Thursday, January 28, 1999

        TIME:  8:30  A.M. - 11:30 A.M. 

        PLACE: Conference Room 329, State Capitol


                        A G E N D A

H.B. 176 Relating to Tobacco Tax           HLT, CPC/JHA, FIN

        Provides that the excise tax on cigarettes shall be
imposed and collected through the use of stamp purchased by
wholesalers and dealers, and affixed to cigarette packages.
Includes provisions for civil and criminal penalties, and for
forfeitures of cigarettes, to be enforced by the police
departments, liquor commissions, attorney general, and
prosecuting attorneys.  Mandates repeal of law in 2005 upon
finding by the state auditor that the law has not reduced the
loss of tax revenue due to the illegal sale of untaxed
cigarettes. (Say)

H.B. 295 Relating to Cigarettes and Tobacco Products  HLT, CPC,
                                                           FIN
        Requires wholesale and retail tobacco dealers to
obtain licenses for selling tobacco from the liquor commission.
Prohibits minors from purchasing cigarettes or tobacco from
retail tobacco dealers.  (Takai)

H.B. 294 Relating to the Distribution of Sample    HLT, JHA,
        Tobacco Products and Tobacco Promotional        FIN
        Materials

        Prohibits the distribution of sample tobacco products
on or in any public street, sidewalk, or park, or within 1000

 
feet of any school attended by minors.  Also prohibits the
distribution of tobacco promotional materials within 1000 feet of
any school attended by minors.  (Takai)

H.B. 296 Relating to Minors                         HLT, JHA
        
        Prohibits possession of any amount of tobacco by a
minor.  Requires the court to revoke the minor's driving
privileges for violation.  (Takai)

H.B. 297 Relating to Smoking in the Workplace   HLT, LAB, JHA

        Requires employers with 5 or more employees to adopt a
smoking policy to accommodate both the smoking and nonsmoking
employees.  This requirement does not apply to the dining areas
of restaurants, bars, and hotel guest rooms.  In addition,
prohibits smoking in state workplaces.  (Takai) 

H.B. 175 Relating to Tobacco                        HLT, FIN

        Establishes the tobacco agreement special fund to
consist of half of the amount paid to the state by the tobacco
companies pursuant to the tobacco agreement.  Specifies that the
special fund is to be used for programs to provide tobacco use
prevention services and health-related initiatives.  (Say)

H.B. 292 Relating to Health                         HLT, FIN
        
        Creates a special fund from tobacco litigation
settlements and awards to fund healthy living programs under the
department of health.  (Takai)



                 DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

PERSONS WISHING TO TESTIFY ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT 30 COPIES OF
THEIR TESTIMONY 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING TO:  (1)  THE
COMMITTEE'S VICE CHAIR IN ROOM 331, STATE CAPITOL; OR (2)  THE
HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS PERSONNEL IN THE TURNAROUND AREA OF THE
CAPITOL BASEMENT PARKING LOT.  TESTIMONY MAY BE FAXED TO THE
HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS OFFICE AT:  586-6501 (OAHU) OR 1-800-535-3859
(NEIGHBOR ISLANDS).  WHEN FAXING, PLEASE INDICATE TO WHOM THE
TESTIMONY IS BEING SUBMITTED, THE DATE AND TIME OF THE HEARING,
AND THE REQUIRED NO. OF COPIES THAT IS NEEDED FOR SUBMITTAL.

IT IS ALSO REQUESTED THAT THE COPIES BE ON ONE SIDE OF AN 8-1/2"
X 11" SHEET WITH TWO HOLES PUNCHED AT THE TOP.  FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE HEALTH COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6380.


 
 
 
IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE OR AUXILIARY AIDS AND/OR
SERVICES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS OF THE
STATE HOUSE (I.E., SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, WHEELCHAIR
ACCESSIBILITY, OR PARKING DESIGNATED FOR THE DISABLED), PLEASE
CONTACT THE COMMITTEE CLERK 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING SO
ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.



                               _______________________________
                               Rep. Alexander C. Santiago
                               Chair