STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 351
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2021
RE: H.B. No. 934
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2021
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness, to which was referred H.B. No. 934 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COVID-19,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for COVID-19 response programs and activities.
Your Committee finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has devastated the world and crippled the State's economy. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) on March 27, 2020, to help the State address the extensive health and economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, funds provided by the CARES Act are set to expire soon, leaving essential COVID-19 response programs potentially unfunded. This measure will ensure COVID-19 response related programs maintain their funding so that the State may continue offering essential services to its residents.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Inserting blank appropriation amounts;
(2) Requiring that should any project or program paid for by State funds become eligible for federal reimbursement, those federal funds shall be deposited into the general fund;
(3) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 934, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 934, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness,
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____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair |
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