STAND. COM. REP. NO. 917

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 299

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 299, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to provide loan repayment assistance to health care workers in Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor, Department of Health, State Health Planning and Development Agency, University of Hawaii System, AlohaCare, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, Hawaii Dental Association, Hawaii Dental Service, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Pacific Health, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Kaiser Permanente, The Queen's Health Systems, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the healthcare education loan repayment program has been successful in incentivizing persons to join or remain in the field of health care, and that the program requires continued funding to meet the needs of the State. Your Committee further finds that the program has helped to mitigate the shortage of healthcare professionals in Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying the purpose of the Act and specifying that loan repayment shall be contingent upon a minimum number of years of service in the State.

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. 299, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 299, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair