STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1106

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1018

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1018, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY POWERS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Governor to ensure continued operation of medical facilities upon declaration of a state of emergency and during times of health or pandemic emergencies; and

(2) Allow hospitals to suspend elective surgeries during the period of emergency to address the facility's bed capacity.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

Your Committees find that Hawai‘i fared far better than other states during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, with far lower infection and death rates. Your Committees believe that this success was achieved through cooperation between public and private entities, with hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities working extensively with both federal and state officials to ensure the continuation of essential services. This measure will allow the State to remain resilient during a state of emergency by ensuring that residents retain access to necessary services.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1018, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair