STAND. COM. REP. NO. 25

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 147

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 147 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require that District Health Officers of the Department of Health be licensed physicians.

The Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii testified in support of this measure. The Department of Health submitted testimony in opposition.

Your Committee amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the proposed statutory language to be more permissive so as to allow, but not require, the District Health Officer position to be filled by a licensed physician; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion.

Your Committee notes the Department of Health's concerns that requiring District Health Officers to also be licensed physicians will narrow an already small pool of eligible applicants. Your Committee also notes the Department of Health's oral testimony stating that drawing in licensed physicians who are also qualified health care administrators to apply for the positions would require matching competitive private sector pay rates.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 147, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 147, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair