STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1716-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.R. No. 192

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Human Services, to which was referred H.R. No. 192 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO HIRE A STATE VETERINARY MEDICAL OFFICER TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF RAT LUNGWORM DISEASE AND OTHER ZOONOTIC DISEASES IN THE STATE'S HUMAN POPULATION AND TO SUPPORT STATEWIDE EFFORTS IN PROTECTING AND IMPROVING HUMAN HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health to prevent the spread of rat lungworm disease and other zoonotic diseases in human populations by hiring a State Veterinary Medical Officer.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, and one concerned individual submitted testimony in support of this measure.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Health testified that fulfilling the request made in this measure would require additional funding to provide a competitive salary for a well-qualified public health veterinarian.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 192 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Human Services,

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair