STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3172

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2805

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Higher Education and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2805, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to conduct a multiethnic cohort study and develop and maintain a registry regarding the health effects of the August 2023 Maui wildfires.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, University of Hawaiʻi System, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Roots Reborn, American Lung Association Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Psychological Association, Hawaiʻi Health C.A.R.E. Hui, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaiʻi Public Health Association, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, ʻAhahui o nā Kauka, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, Mental Health America of Hawaiʻi, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and twenty individuals.

Your Committees find that the effects of the August 2023 Maui wildfires created long-term health risks to the impacted communities. However, the gravity of short- and long-term health risks remain largely unknown, creating uncertainty for policy, resources, and overall needs for Maui residents. The data collected from the multiethnic cohort study proposed by this measure will provide public health workers with valuable insight to understand the unique needs of Maui residents and guide resource allocation and prevention activities.

Your Committees further find that, according to the University of Hawaii's testimony, the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization has collaborated with the John A. Burns School of Medicine, other university units, and community agencies to commence initial stages of the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, including recruitment of nearly seven hundred participants for the exposure study to initiate diagnostic tests. While the study has collected samples, health screening information, and social aspects of participants, additional funding is needed to analyze the samples for toxins such as heavy metals and for additional recruitment efforts. Additionally, the creation of a registry is a one-time cost to inform participants of any intervention recommended by the Department of Health or public health advisories while analyzing potential health risks through existing medical records. Your Committees note that the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study is awaiting results from federal grants and intends to pursue additional federal and community funding. Therefore, this measure will provide additional support to resume initial data analysis while recruiting additional participants to further understand the short- and long-term impacts of the August 2023 Maui wildfires.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the University of Hawaii to seek matching, or more, federal and community funding, in addition to appropriations, to complete the multiethnic cohort study and registry; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2805, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2805, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair