Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2844 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to allocate one-half cent of the excise tax collected on each cigarette sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer and use the revenue to fund programs for the prevention and treatment of crystal methamphetamine use.

The Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, and two concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition supported the intent of this measure and suggested amendments. The American Heart Association provided comments.

Your Committee finds that this measure would help provide prevention and treatment programs for crystal methamphetamine use.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2844 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.