STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2756

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3125

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3125, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation to the Department of Health for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Hawaii Primary Care Association.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that currently, residents of many communities, including rural and marginalized communities, remain unvaccinated and thus more vulnerable to COVID-19. Accordingly, your Committee further finds that the moneys appropriated by this measure will help protect the health of state residents by allowing wider dissemination of COVID-19 vaccines.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3125, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair