CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 78-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2289

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2289, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO KALAUPAPA,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Health to include in its annual report regarding Kalaupapa Settlement:

(1) Details and updated information, as available, regarding the permanent transfer of the powers and duties of the Department and any other state agencies over Kalaupapa Settlement to other qualified governmental or qualified nongovernmental entities; and

(2) Details of the Department's engagement efforts with community stakeholders.

Your Committee on Conference finds that Kalaupapa, within Kalawao County on the island of Molokai, holds great significance in the State's history, and that under existing law, Kalaupapa Settlement is under the jurisdiction and control of the Department of Health. Your Committee on Conference further finds that as the number of patients residing in Kalaupapa declines and the Department of Health prepares for the eventual transfer of jurisdiction over Kalawao County to another government agency, it is imperative for the Legislature to remain informed and updated regarding plans for the future transfer. This measure will keep the Legislature informed of this important transition by including details and updated information regarding the permanent transfer of Kalaupapa Settlement in the Department of Health's annual report to the Legislature.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have required the immediate addition of certain community organizations to the executive transition team;

(2) Making it effective upon its approval and inserting a sunset date of the first June 30 after the Revisor of Statutes receives a written gubernatorial proclamation that the transfer of all of the powers and duties of the Department of Health over Kalaupapa Settlement is complete; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2289, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2289, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ MAHINA POEPOE Co-Chair	____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA Chair
____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Co-Chair	____________________________ LYNN DECOITE Co-Chair
____________________________ CORY CHUN Co-Chair