STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2038

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: S.B. No. 2348

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2348 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate additional funds for preparation of a possible influenza pandemic.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense, Department of Health, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Hawaii Medical Association.

Your Committee realizes the urgent need to adequately prepare for an influenza pandemic and protect the people of Hawaii. Your Committee has adopted this measure at the suggestion of national and international experts who believe that the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, which has spread through Asia and parts of eastern Europe, could become a pandemic for which early preparation is crucial.

Your Committee finds that this measure is for the benefit of public health and safety.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2348 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair