STAND. COM. REP. NO. 511

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1119

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1119 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to provide funding for a comprehensive study to provide the information to develop effective drug policies.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii; Hawaii State Democratic Women's Caucus; the Drug Policy Action Group; the Drug Policy Forum of Hawai‘i; The League of Women Voters of Hawaii; Oahu County Democratic Party of Hawaii; and four individuals.  

     Your Committee finds that developing and implementing an effective and comprehensive drug policy is vital to improving the health and safety of the citizens of the State.  Drug addiction is a public health issue and accurate data to develop effective and fiscally responsible policies have not been available.  Drug issues intersect with many other issues in the community, including homelessness, violence in the home, after-school programs, incarceration, property crime, health care, employment, foster care, and judiciary costs.

     Your Committee further finds that a comprehensive state drug policy is needed.  The policy should be based on accurate data and an expert assessment of the effectiveness of current programs.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting the specific amount appropriated and designating the Department of Health as the expending agency.  Your Committee recommends to the Committee on Ways and Means that the original appropriation amount of $88,090, be restored.

     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. 1119, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1119, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair