Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2727 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow the neurotrauma special fund to be used for direct services to assist individuals with neurotraumatic injuries.

The bill also requires the use of the special fund to obtain federal and private grant matching funds.

Your Committee finds that Act 160, Session Laws of Hawaii 2002, recognized the needs of individuals who suffer from the physical, cognitive, and behavioral consequences of neurotrauma. The Act established the neurotrauma special fund to:

Although the Legislature contemplated using the special fund for direct service purposes at the time, the matter was deferred until more information was available.

Since the enactment of Act 160, your Committee finds that the special fund has accumulated nearly $1,000,000 in revenue and a number of documented cases reveal individuals with neurotraumatic injuries who are unable to obtain adequate treatment and services.

Based on this new information, your Committee finds that this bill will provide the necessary funds through the neurotrauma special fund to assist individuals with neurotraumatic injuries.

Your Committee has amended the bill by making technical amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

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. 2727, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2727, S.D. 1.