STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2865

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 Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2969, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Ahahui o na Kauka--The Association of Native Hawaii Physicians, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Public Health Association, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Community Health, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association in Hawaii, Lahaina Strong, Tagnawa, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that, in response to the 2023 Maui wildfires, the University of Hawaii and its partners established the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and the Maui Health Registry, which together represent the most comprehensive social and health biomonitoring effort ever undertaken in the State. Your Committee recognizes that the additional funding provided by this measure is needed to continue these efforts, ensure long-term follow-up care for all participants, and expand to provide services for up to three thousand people for which the focus will be on services for keiki and other vulnerable populations.

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. 2969, 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