STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1490

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 663

S.D. 1

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 663, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE SOLEMN COVENANT OF THE STATES TO AWARD PRIZES FOR CURING DISEASES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Health to establish a task force to study and recommend to the Legislature the feasibility of entering into the Solemn Covenant of the States to Award Prizes for Curing Diseases.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association.

Your Committee finds that the goal of medical research is to develop safe and effective methods to prevent, detect, diagnose, treat, and ultimately cure various diseases. The development and innovation of new cures for major diseases has many potential benefits. However, your Committee believes that additional information is needed before the State commits to joining an interstate compact to award prizes for curing diseases.

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 S.B. No. 663, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair