STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2860

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2261

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2261, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the shortage of physicians and dentists on the island of Molokai.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires Huli Au Ola, Maui County Area Health Education Center, to conduct a study on the recruitment and retention of physicians and dentists on the island of Molokai;

(2) Requires Huli Au Ola to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

(3) Appropriates moneys to Huli Au Ola as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to conduct the study.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Dental Association, AlohaCare, Hawaii Medical Association, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Molokai is experiencing a shortage of non-primary care physicians and dentists. Because only a single airline serves the island, this shortage is exacerbated for Molokai residents, many of whom cannot afford to travel off-island to seek medical and dental care. This measure appropriates moneys for a study to assess factors that contribute to the shortage and to recommend ways to improve Molokai's recruitment and retention of physicians and dentists.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2261, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair