Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 516, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enable the State to respond more efficiently and effectively to potential catastrophic threats involving chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear, or explosive agents.

Specifically, this bill grants the Department of Health emergency power to maintain an emergency response stockpile to prepare for or respond to such a potential terrorist threat or technological disaster without the need to comply with certain statutes and rules relating to the dispensing, labeling, prescribing, or storage of various drugs, vaccines, other biological products, medical devices, and related supplies.

Your Committee believes this measure is both prudent and necessary to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the residents of Hawaii.

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 H.B. No. 516, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.