STAND. COM. REP. NO. 552-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2159

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 Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2159, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish positions and appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to support health care workforce development in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; State Health Planning and Development Agency; Navian Hawaii; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Hawaii Medical Association; The Queen's Health Systems; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; LeadingAge Pacific West; Home Care Association of America Hawaii Chapter; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State is experiencing severe shortages in almost all health care professions and disciplines and medical specialties, which significantly limits access to care, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Your Committee believes that filling key educational, training, and clinical-translational role will strengthen the University of Hawaii's ability to expand supervised training, residency slots, and community-based rotations in underserved areas.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2159, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2159, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair