Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2686 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to augment the language of Act 174, Session Laws of Hawaii (SLH) 2003, that describes the need to support Hawaii-based companies providing services to detect and treat cancer.

This measure also appropriates $2,000,000 for the Cancer Detection Development Revolving Fund to support the Hawaii-based development of healthcare and biomedical technology for the detection and treatment of cancer.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Science and Technology International. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that although Hawaii is a desirable vacation destination due to the allure of the sun and surf, the success of the tourism industry is also dependent upon Hawaii being a safe and healthy location for visitors. Your Committee further finds that in Hawaii, skin cancer is especially prevalent, with Kauai having the highest documented incidence rate of basal cell carcinoma in the country. Pursuant to Act 174, SLH 2003, the Legislature recognized the need for and provided for the utilization of Hawaii Tobacco Settlement Special Fund moneys to support technological advances in cancer detection. Your Committee determines that heightened awareness of Hawaii's cancer concerns must be encouraged and promoted. Your Committee further determines that additional funds must be appropriated in order to continue to support the development of healthcare and biomedical technology for not only the detection, but also the treatment, of cancer in its early stages.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

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. 2686, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2686, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.