STAND. COM. REP. 304

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 898

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 898 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VETERANS AFFAIRS LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to meet our commitment to military veterans and provide for their health and welfare by authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds for the construction of a $45,000,000 Veterans Affairs long-term care facility in Hilo, Hawaii.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by: the State Department of Defense; the Office of Veterans Services; Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; AJA Veterans Council; Club 100, Hawaii Chapter; 442nd Veterans Association; Big Island Veterans Association; Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 6; the Board of Directors of the Aloha Chapter, Military Officers Association of America; ILWU Local 142; two councilmembers of the Hawaii County Council; and many individuals.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has pledged $29,000,000 or 65 percent of the construction cost of the 200-bed facility, which would be the first of its kind in this State. This bill appropriates $8,000,000 or one-half of the remaining balance.

The facility will be built on the site of the old Hilo Hospital. The new facility is appropriate because the County of Hawaii has the second largest veteran population in the State.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 898 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Health,

 

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DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair

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KEN ITO, Chair