Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2213, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to improve student access to substance abuse services by providing funds to establish an "assessment bank" to cover the cost of substance abuse assessments for uninsured students found violating the Department of Education's (DOE) zero tolerance policy relating to alcohol and drugs.

DOE, The Drug Policy Action Group, Hina Mauka, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill. The Department of Health supported the intent of this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2213, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.