HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                 THE TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE
                  REGULAR SESSION OF 2000

                    COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
             Rep. Alexander C. Santiago, Chair
             Rep. Brian Y. Yamane, Vice Chair

  Rep. Dennis A. Arakaki        Rep. David D. Stegmaier
  Rep. Michael P. Kahikina      Rep. Bertha F.K. Leong
  Rep. Bertha C. Kawakami       Rep. Bob McDermott
  Rep. Marilyn B. Lee


      COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
               Rep. Nestor R. Garcia, Chair
          Rep. Sol P. Kaho'ohalahala, Vice Chair

  Rep. Jerry L. Chang           Rep. David A. Pendleton


                     NOTICE OF HEARING

        DATE:    Thursday, February 3, 2000

        TIME:    8:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.

        PLACE:   Conference Room 329, State Capitol


                        A G E N D A

FOR HLT ONLY
HB 2961    RELATING TO TOBACCO.                 HLT, CPC/JHA, FIN
        Provides that the excise tax on cigarettes shall be 
        imposed and collected through the use of stamps 
        purchased by licensees, and affixed to cigarette 
        packages.  Includes provisions for civil and criminal
        penalties, and for forfeitures of cigarettes, to be
        enforced by the police departments, liquor
        commissions, the attorney general, and prosecuting
        attorneys.  Requires the Director of Taxation to 
        submit findings and recommendations to the 
        legislature for the 2006 Session on effectiveness of 
        Act. (Takai)






 
HB 2277    RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOBACCO SETTLEMENT    HLT, FIN
        SPECIAL FUND.
        Provides that the funds received by the Health
        Department from the Tobacco Settlement for health
        promotion and disease prevention programs shall not
        supplant or diminish the funding of existing tobacco
        prevention and control programs or any health related
        programs funded in whole or in part by the State.
        (Santiago)

HB 2422    RELATING TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE TOBACCO   HLT, FIN
        SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.
        The purpose of this bill is to: (1) establish the 
        Tobacco Enforcement Special Fund, (2) exempt the 
        Tobacco Enforcement Special Fund from the central
        service surcharge and from the reimbursement for
        departmental administrative expenses; and (3) amend
        the distribution of the tobacco settlement moneys.
        (Say)

HB 2423    RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS REPORT.         HLT, JHA
        Establishes a reporting requirement to assist the
        Attorney General enforce a state law that requires
        tobacco product manufacturers who sell tobacco
        products in the State to deposit certain amounts into
        escrow based on the number of cigarettes sold. (Say)

HB 2811    RELATING TO HEALTH.                      HLT, CPC, FIN
        Establishes an expedited process for an appeal of a 
        managed care plan's decision.  Extends the time period
        to request an external review of a managed care plan's
        final determination.  Establishes standards for 
        determining whether a health intervention is a medical
        necessity.  (Santiago)

HB 2550    RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH PARITY.        HLT, CPC, FIN
        To require health insurers to equitably reimburse for
        mental health treatment; It requires full "parity" in
        mental health treatment benefits relative to other
        health insurance benefits. (Say)

HB 2913    RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE      HLT, CPC, FIN
        COVERAGE.
        Requires parity for insurance coverage for mental
        health benefits; defines serious mental illness as 
        mental disorders as defined in the Diagnostic and 
        Statistical Manual, except for specified conditions; 
        deletes exception for employers with 25 or fewer
        employees; clarifies duties of the Hawaii mental 
        health insurance task force. (Arakaki)

 
 
 
HB 2746    MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PEER    HLT, EDN, FIN
        EDUCATION PROGRAM.
        Appropriates $1,145,845 to maintain and expand the
        services provided by the Department of Health's 
        peer education program.

FOR HLT/PSM
HB 2894    RELATING TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE.        HLT/PSM, JHA, FIN
        Establishes a substance abuse policy council within
        the office of the governor to develop statewide policy
        regarding education, prevention, and treatment
        programs.  Provides funding sources and mechanisms.
        (Santiago/Keiki Caucus)


                 DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

PERSONS WISHING TO TESTIFY ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT 30 COPIES OF
THEIR TESTIMONY 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING TO:  (1)  THE
COMMITTEE'S VICE CHAIR IN ROOM 331, STATE CAPITOL; OR (2)  THE
HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS PERSONNEL IN THE TURNAROUND AREA OF THE
CAPITOL BASEMENT PARKING LOT.  TESTIMONY MAY BE FAXED TO THE
HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS OFFICE AT:  586-6501 (OAHU) OR 1-800-535-3859
(NEIGHBOR ISLANDS).  WHEN FAXING, PLEASE INDICATE TO WHOM THE
TESTIMONY IS BEING SUBMITTED, THE DATE AND TIME OF THE HEARING,
AND THE REQUIRED NO. OF COPIES THAT IS NEEDED FOR SUBMITTAL.

IT IS ALSO REQUESTED THAT THE COPIES BE ON ONE SIDE OF AN 8-1/2"
X 11" SHEET WITH TWO HOLES PUNCHED AT THE TOP.  FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE HEALTH COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6380.

IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE OR AUXILIARY AIDS AND/OR
SERVICES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS OF THE
STATE HOUSE (I.E., SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, WHEELCHAIR
ACCESSIBILITY, OR PARKING DESIGNATED FOR THE DISABLED), PLEASE
CONTACT THE COMMITTEE CLERK 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING SO
ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.



____________________________        ___________________________
Rep. Alexander C. Santiago, Chair   Rep. Nestor Garcia, Chair
Committee on Health                 Committee on Public Safety 
                                 and Military Affairs