STAND. COM. REP. NO. 241

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1526

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1526 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TOXICOLOGY TESTING LABORATORY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to extend the lapse date for funds appropriated out of the Drug and Alcohol Toxicology Testing Laboratory Special Fund for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 for the establishment and maintenance of a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui; Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Police Department, and one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committees find that a dedicated toxicology testing facility is essential for effective law enforcement operations, particularly in addressing driving under the influence, workplace incidents, and other situations requiring precise toxicology analysis. The laboratory established by this measure will reduce dependencies on external testing facilities, potentially decreasing processing times and costs while maintaining chain of custody standards crucial for law enforcement purposes. Establishing consistent testing standards and procedures will significantly improve the quality and reliability of evidence in criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Your Committees find that this measure is crucial for enhancing the State's capability to conduct timely and accurate drug and alcohol testing, directly impacting law enforcement operations and public safety. Extending the funding timeline until June 30, 2028, ensures adequate time for establishing and implementing the laboratory infrastructure.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1526, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1526, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Culture and the Arts and Health and Human Services,

________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair