STAND. COM. REP. NO.  956

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 991

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 991, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure adequate access to medical care in rural, medically underserved areas of the state by establishing and appropriating funds for the Hawaii Medical Doctor Loan Program to provide financial assistance for:

(1)  Students who complete a state-approved medical school program at the University of Hawaii; or

(2)  Graduates of a medical school who have received medical training from a Hawaii-based medical program,

who agree to practice in rural areas of the state.

     The Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Medical Association, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Department of Budget and Finance submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     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. 991, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 991, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair