STAND. COM. REP. NO. 353

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 962

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. 962 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE RELATING TO COVID-19 EXPENDITURES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation to the Department of Defense for COVID-19 related expenditures.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and Hawaii Primary Care Association.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Defense plays a critical role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response efforts. The Department of Defense has worked with federal and state agencies to ensure the safety of the residents and visitors of Hawaii. This measure safeguards the continuation of necessary COVID-19 related response programs for the Department of Defense to ensure the health and welfare of Hawaii's residents and visitors.

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. 962, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 962, 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,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair