STAND. COM. REP. NO. 411

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 146

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 146 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address zoonotic diseases, which are animal diseases than can be transmitted to humans including bird flu and rat lungworm disease, by establishing, funding, and creating position requirements for a permanent veterinary medical officer position in the Department of Health (DOH).

The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council supported this measure. DOH submitted comments on this measure.

Your Committees have amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2150.

Your Committees note that DOH estimates that an annual salary of up to $120,000 will be required to attract competent candidates for the veterinary medical officer position.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 146, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 146, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Health,

____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair

____________________________ RICHARD P. CREAGAN, Chair