Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2686, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Cancer Detection Development Revolving Fund to support Hawaii-based development of healthcare and biomedical technology to detect and treat the early stages of cancer.

Your Committee finds that under Act 174, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, the legislature recognized the need for cancer research, especially as the disease relates to Hawaii. Hawaii is recognized worldwide with the image of the sun and surf and our tourism industry depends on visitors enjoying a safe and healthy vacation. But the potential dangers of the sun are not commonly known or fully appreciated by tourists or residents. For example, the island of Kauai leads the nation in per capita incidence of basal cell carcinoma, a potentially fatal skin cancer caused by the sun. Your Committee notes that support for Hawaii's technology sector that is involved in medical research will contribute to our economy and the health and well being of all residents.

This measure provides the funds to support the continued development of early non-invasive diagnosis and treatment technology to fight cancer, including skin, cervical, and other types of cancer.

Your Committee has amended the bill by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2686, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2686, S.D. 2.