STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1680

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 723

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 723, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PANDEMIC RESPONSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the demand for essential supplies to confront the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Specifically, this measure amends Act 9, section 30, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020, to broaden the authorized use of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) moneys to include the purchase and distribution of personal protective equipment and industrial hygiene products to state departments and attached agencies.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Defense, State Procurement Office, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Office of Community Services, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, and Hawaii Primary Care Association.

Your Committee finds that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, demand remains high for personal protective equipment and industrial hygiene supplies.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Appropriating an unspecified sum of general funds for fiscal year 2021-2022 for the purchase of personal protective equipment and industrial hygiene supplies, instead of amending the appropriation of emergency and budget reserve fund moneys in Act 9, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 723, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 723, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair