STAND. COM. REP. NO.  558-14

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2077

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2077 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PROHIBITIONS ON UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PREMISES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to promote positive health practices and protect University of Hawaii students, employees, and visitors from exposure to second-hand smoke and other potentially harmful substances by prohibiting smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices, and tobacco use on University of Hawaii premises.

 

     The Department of Health, Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii, American Heart Association, American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific, University of Hawaii Student Health Advisory Council, and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Hawaii Government Employees Association opposed this measure.  The University of Hawaii submitted comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

     (1)  Removing the requirement that the University of Hawaii provide tobacco cessation programs for interested employees;

 

     (2)  Amending the definition of "electronic smoking device"; and

 

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

 

     Furthermore, your Committee has concerns that the references to collective bargaining in the bill may need to be addressed, as suggested by the testimony of the Hawaii Government Employees Association.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2077, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2077, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ISAAC W. CHOY, Chair