STAND. COM. REP. NO. 354

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 963

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. 963 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR RELATING TO COVID-19 EXPENDITURES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation for the Office of the Governor to continue funding for various COVID-19 response related programs and activities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Hawaii Primary Care Association. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the United States Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) on March 27, 2020, to provide economic relief to citizens and states. While the CARES Act provided funding for highly essential programs and services, your Committee believes additional funding may be needed. This measure will provide continuation of the funding necessary for COVID-19 related response programs to ensure the health and welfare of residents and visitors of the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a blank appropriation amount;

(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. 963, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 963, 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