STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3483

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 44

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 Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.R. No. 44 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO COORDINATE THE STOCKPILING OF A THREE-YEAR SUPPLY OF MIFEPRISTONE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Health to coordinate the stockpiling of a three-year supply of mifepristone.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, Hawaiʻi State Youth Commission, and one individual.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that many residents in the State, particularly those located in rural communities, face disproportionate barriers to accessing in-person surgical abortion care due to the high cost of inter-island travel, limited access to transportation, and the challenge of balancing school or work obligations. Your Committee further finds that medication abortion, including the use of mifepristone, is a safe and effective option that can significantly reduce accessibility barriers to abortion care. However, access to mifepristone has been the subject of ongoing federal litigation and policy uncertainty, and legal scholars and public health experts have warned that changes in federal policy or supply chain disruptions could affect access to the medication, even in states where abortion remains legal. Your Committee also finds that because the State is geographically isolated and heavily dependent on imported medical supplies, maintaining a stockpile of essential medications, such as mifepristone, is a vital public health strategy. This measure helps preserve access to essential medication and protects the health and bodily autonomy of residents of the State.

Your Committee notes the testimony of the Department of Health that it currently contracts for the procurement, storage, and distribution of mifepristone with multiple providers across the State, ensuring a supply of mifepristone in each county and the ability to distribute medications to all islands; that its current supply of mifepristone has an expiration date of 2029; and that it is committed to ensuring an ongoing three-year supply of mifepristone as part of its statewide family planning services program. Therefore, amendments to this measure are necessary to reflect these matters.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting findings to reflect the Department of Health's commitment to maintaining a three-year supply of mifepristone and that the expiration date of its current supply of mifepristone is 2029;

(2) Clarifying that this body supports the Department of Health's efforts, rather than urges the Department, to coordinate the stockpiling of a three-year supply of mifepristone;

(3) Amending its title accordingly; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 44, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 44, S.D. 1.

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

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair