STAND. COM. REP. NO. 768-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1903

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1903, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DATA ABOUT SNORKELS AND MASKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require first responders to record in the incident report for each water rescue event the type of snorkel and mask, if any, worn by the person who was rescued or recovered.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among visitors to Hawaii, with snorkeling being the most common activity associated with visitor drownings. Your Committee further finds that while many drowning events are snorkel-related, the cause remains unclear as data is not systematically collected on the circumstances of the events or type of snorkels used by the victims. Gathering standardized, empirical data will help authorities determine whether the type of snorkel increases the risk of drowning and lead to better public health messaging and improvements in snorkel design. This measure therefore ensures that this important data will be collected.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1903, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair