CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 172-08

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2008

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1804

       S.D. 2

       H.D. 2

       C.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Madam and Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1804, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TRAUMA SYSTEM SPECIAL FUND,"

 

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

 

     The purpose of this bill is to establish additional funding mechanisms to enhance the availability of revenues in the Trauma System Special Fund to ensure the availability of care for trauma patients in the State.

 

     Your Committee in Conference finds that a January 2006 report by the legislative reference bureau, entitled "On-Call Crisis in Trauma Care:  Government Responses", noted that the rationale for public support of uncompensated trauma services is the same as for critical police and fire services:  a trauma system is a necessary public service that ought to be publicly supported.

     In light of these findings, Acts 305 and 316, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006, were enacted to ensure and encourage the availability of trauma care in the State by creating a trauma system special fund and dedicating a portion of the revenues generated from cigarette and tobacco tax to the special fund.

 

     The legislature acknowledges that there is a desperate need to expand the resources available for trauma care in Hawaii.  It is also evident that additional resources are needed immediately to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the citizens of our State.

 

     Your Committee on Conference upon further consideration has made the following amendments to S.B. No. 1804, S.D. 2, H.D. 2:

 

     (1)  Deleted the purpose section language;

 

     (2)  Inserting language that provides for surcharges, to be deposited into the trauma system special fund, for violations of the following offenses:

 

          (a)  Child passenger restraints;

          (b)  Mandatory use of seat belts;

          (c)  Inattention to driving;

          (d)  Accidents involving death or serious bodily injury;

          (e)  Accidents involving substantial bodily injury;

          (f)  Accidents involving bodily injury;

          (g)  Accidents involving damage to a vehicle or property;

          (h)  Duty to give information and render aid;

          (i)  Duty upon striking unattended vehicle or other property;

          (j)  Immediate notice of accident;

          (k)  Racing on highways;

          (l)  Speeding in a school zone or construction area;

          (m)  Excessive speeding;

          (n)  Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant; and

          (o)  Habitually operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant;

 

     (3)  Deleting the requirement that, to remain eligible for reimbursements, all level I or level II trauma centers shall have at least annual on-site verification visits by the department and an on-site verification visit by the American College of Surgeons at least every three years;

 

     (4)  Deleting the appropriation provisions; and

 

     (5)  Made technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1804, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1804, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

 

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

 

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

 

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Co-Chair

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Co-Chair

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Co-Chair

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Co-Chair