STAND. COM. REP. NO.60

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 664

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 664 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VETERANS AFFAIRS LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and make a corresponding appropriation for the development of a Veterans Affairs long-term care facility on the Hilo Medical Center campus.

Testimony supporting this measure was received from the Office of Veterans Services, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, a member of the County Council of the County of Hawaii, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Hilo Medical Center, Kona Community Hospital, Board of Directors of the Military Offices Association of America – Aloha Chapter, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, Hilo Medical Center Foundation, Puna Geothermal Venture Hawaii, W.H. Shipman, Limited, Big Island National Guard Retirees Association, Big Island Veterans Association, AJA Veterans Council, Club 100 – Hawaii Chapter, 442nd Veterans Association, Disabled American Veterans – Chapter 6, and thirty-five individuals.

Your Committees find that the State has an opportunity to spearhead the development of a long-term care (LTC) facility for United States veterans in Hawaii. It is clear that LTC facilities are in great demand by our maturing veteran population, particularly in Hilo where access to adequate facilities is limited. The VA LTC facility described in this measure would meet this demand by providing services to our honorable United States veterans in Hilo, Hawaii. In addition, with sixty-five per cent of the cost of construction subsidized by the federal government, the development of this facility will surely provide an economic boost for Hawaii by creating construction and ancillary employment opportunities.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 664, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 664, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations,

____________________________

CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair