THE SENATE

THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2007

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AND PUBLIC HOUSING

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair

Senator Les Ihara, Jr., Vice Chair

COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND MILITARY AFFAIRS

Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Chair

Senator Shan S. Tsutsui, Vice Chair

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Senator Norman Sakamoto, Chair

Senator Jill N. Tokuda, Vice Chair

NOTICE OF HEARING

DATE:	Tuesday, March 20, 2007
TIME:	1:45 p.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 016 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

HSP/IGM

HB 1361 HD1 (HSCR905)

RELATING TO HOUSING. Corrects Chapter 356D, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, to reflect the Legislature's intent to codify various acts into this chapter, and to make other necessary technical and housekeeping amendments.  (HB1361 HD1)

HSP/IGM, WAM

HSP/EDU

HB 1786 HD1 (HSCR811)

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII. Appropriates funds for the coordination and administration of the University of Hawaii's bridge to hope program.  (HB1786 HD1)

HSP/EDU, WAM

HSP Only

HB 807 HD1 (HSCR1026) Proposed SD1	RELATING TO CAREGIVING. Establishes an office of the long-term care ombudsman within the executive office on aging and appropriates funds for the office to hire additional staff and to support the office's operating costs to ensure adequate services on the neighbor islands. (Proposed SD1) Proposed SD1 replaces the contents of HB807, HD1 with the contents of SB1190, SD1.  Copies of the proposed SD1 are available in Room 226 and on the Legislature's website: www.capitol.hawaii.gov.	HSP, WAM
HB 1007 (HSCR856)	RELATING TO FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall not consider moneys in Escrow Accounts established under the federal Housing and Urban Development Family Self-Sufficiency Program when determining eligibility for assistance or other benefits under Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes.	HSP, WAM
HB 1043 HD2 (HSCR1168)	RELATING TO CHILDREN. Establishes a task force to coordinate resources for homeless children; sunsets on June 30, 2011.  Establishes and appropriates funds to the Kokua Na Keiki Special Fund.  Creates an administrative grant program for DHS to award grants for programs that benefit homeless children.  (HB1043 HD2)	HSP, WAM
HB 1044 HD1 (HSCR857)	RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. Provides equal access to immunosuppressant medication for Medicaid patients with HIV, AIDS, or Hepatitis C, or who require immunosuppressives due to organ transplants, regardless of whether they are in the Medicaid fee for service or QUEST programs.  Requires economic impact assessment.  Sunsets July 1, 2013.  (HB1044 HD1)	HSP, WAM
HB 1356 HD2 (HSCR904)	RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION BOARD ALLOWANCE FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH. Increases the time limit for application for a higher education board allowance.  Provides former foster youth who are between the ages of 22 and 26 years of age on July 1, 2007, and who are already attending a higher education institution, the opportunity to apply for a higher education board allowance within a year.  Increases the maximum age for the benefit with a maximum benefit length of 60 months.  Appropriates funds.  (HB1356 HD2)	HSP, WAM
HB 1364 HD2 (HSCR906)	RELATING TO THE STATE RENT SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM. Broadens participation in the State Rent Supplement Program by removing the statutory limitation on the subsidy amount (currently $160 per month) and increasing the income limits for participation to up to 70 percent of area median income.  Requires the wait list for the program to include certain individuals.  (HB1364 HD2)	HSP, WAM
HB 1844 HD1 (HSCR907)	RELATING TO LAND ACQUISITION. Appropriates unspecified amount to acquire Kulana Nani apartments from Kamehameha Schools by eminent domain should negotiations be unsuccessful.  (HB1844 HD1)	HSP, WAM

Decision Making to follow, if time permits.

Persons wishing to testify should submit testimony in one of the following ways at least 24 hours prior to the hearing:

· In person:25 copies of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 226, State Capitol.

· By fax:  Testimony may be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.  When faxing, please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted, the date and time of the hearing, and the number of copies needed for submittal.

· By Email:  Testimony may be emailed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Legislature's Public Access Room at testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov.  Please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted, the date and time of the hearing, and the number of copies needed for submittal.  In addition, please provide the testifier's name and mailing address in the email.  Email sent to individual offices or any other Senate office will not be accepted.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the committee clerk 24 hours prior to the hearing so arrangements can be made.

Public Folder.  A folder labeled “Public Folder” containing the measures and testimonies for the hearing will be available for shared use by members of the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-8431.

________________________________________ Senator Lorraine R. Inouye Chair	________________________________________ Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland Chair
	________________________________________ Senator  Norman Sakamoto Chair