STAND. COM. REP. NO. 771

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 978

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 978, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PURCHASES OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the State's procurement laws relating to the purchase of health and human services to promote procurement efficiency, program success, and government accountability.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Human Services, and State Procurement Office.

Your Committee finds that there is a need to increase efficiencies in government procurement of health and human services. This measure allows agencies to establish and use their own lists of qualified providers as needed, specifically for the provision of health and human services, and expedites the competitive procurement of health and human services purchases of less than $100,000. This measure will thereby reduce the administrative costs and burden to the State and provider community.

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 H.B. No. 978, 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,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair