STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2349

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2969

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2969 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE MAUI WILDFIRE EXPOSURE STUDY AND MAUI HEALTH REGISTRY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to expand and sustain services provided by the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, University of Hawaiʻi System, State Council on Mental Health, Hawaiʻi Community Health, Kaiser Permanente, American Lung Association in Hawaiʻi, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Hawaii Medical Association, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Lāhainā Strong, Kohala Coast Urgent Care and Molokaʻi Family & Urgent Care, Hawaiʻi Public Health Association, Roots Reborn, one member of the Maui County Council, and thirty-six individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Alzheimer's Association and one individual.

Your Committees find that the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires continue to impact local residents, including through toxic exposures, respiratory illnesses, and mental health challenges. The Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry have offered critical community-based health care services to thousands of affected residents, including children, the elderly, first responders, and medically vulnerable populations. Early detection of fire-related health conditions improves treatment options and lowers associated costs. This measure demonstrates the State's sustained commitment to community-centered, disaster-informed health response.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a blank appropriation amount; and

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

Your Committees note that although this measure, as amended, contains an unspecified appropriation amount, should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committees respectfully request that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $3,000,000 for the University of Hawaiʻi, in collaboration with community partners, to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2969, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2969, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Education and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair