STAND. COM. REP. NO. 913

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 674

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 Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 674, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Adopt the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to create a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing and regulatory authority of state medical boards and provides a streamlined process that allows physicians to become licensed in multiple states;

(2) Require the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the implementation of the Compact.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Medical Board, AlohaCare, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, The Queen's Health System, and Hawaii Medical Service Association. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Association for Justice. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Regulated Industries Complaints Office of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committees find that the State is experiencing a severe shortage of professionals in the health care workforce, especially in rural areas. This shortage became even more evident during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic when health care facilities were forced to require staff to work additional hours and consecutive shifts to meet increased demand. This measure will address the shortage of medical providers in the State by streamlining the process for physicians to become licensed in multiple states and mobilize where there is the greatest need.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 674, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair