STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2113-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 3132

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 3132, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require hospitals with emergency departments to report syndromic surveillance data to the Department of Health;

(2) Authorize the Department of Health to create and operate a state syndromic surveillance system, as needed, that is independent of federal systems; and

(3) Authorize the Department of Health to require additional entities to submit syndromic surveillance data.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; State Health Planning and Development Agency; Hawaii Medical Association; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Pacific Health; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Hawaiʻi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that timely access to syndromic surveillance data is a critical public health tool for detecting emerging health threats, monitoring disease trends, and supporting effective response efforts. Your Committee further finds that requiring standardized data submission from emergency departments helps close critical gaps in situational awareness while ensuring Hawaii is not solely reliant on the federally funded National Syndromic Surveillance Program, which is voluntary and may not fully reflect the State's unique geographic and population health needs. This measure authorizes the Department of Health to establish and operate its own state-based system, which will better incorporate local context, including neighbor island disparities and resource limitations, and improve preparedness for disasters and public health emergencies, while also maintaining strong confidentiality protections.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3132, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3132, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair