STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1026-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 7

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 7 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE I-SAVERX PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to increase access to affordable prescription drugs by requiring the Governor, no later than January 1, 2008, to enter into a written agreement that allows Hawaii residents to participate in the I-SaveRx prescription drug program (Program) by July 1, 2008.

     ILWU Local 142, Kokua Council, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and the Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans supported this bill.  The Department of Human Services and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America opposed this measure.  The Attorney General submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring the Governor to enter into the written agreement no later than January 1, 2009, instead of January 1, 2008, and requiring that the Program be available to Hawaii residents by July 1, 2009, instead of July 1, 2008; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     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. 7, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 7, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair