HB 2340: UH; Maui Wildfire Exposure Study; Maui Health Registry; Emergency Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  The legislature finds that the August 2023 Maui wildfires were the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii's history and one of the worst wildfires in the United States in over a century.  Beyond the immediate destruction, survivors continue to face toxic exposures, respiratory illness, and mental health trauma.  Children, first responders, kupuna, and medically vulnerable individuals remain at especially high risk.

     In response, the university of Hawaii and its partners established the Maui wildfire exposure study and the Maui health registry, which together represent the most comprehensive social and health biomonitoring effort ever conducted in state history.  To date, more than two thousand residents have received services including medical and mental health screenings, biomonitoring, and referrals to care.  Community trust has been built with members of Maui's diverse community, including immigrant community members.

     The legislature further finds that additional funding is needed to expand and sustain these services, with a focus on children and other high-risk populations, and to ensure long-term follow-up through the Maui health registry for up to five thousand individuals.

     The purpose of this Act is to make an emergency appropriation to the university of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui wildfire exposure study and Maui health registry.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025–2026 for the university of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui wildfire exposure study and Maui health registry, to include follow-up and expanded services for children, first responders, kupuna, and medically vulnerable residents.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

UH; Maui Wildfire Exposure Study; Maui Health Registry; Emergency Appropriation

Description:

Makes an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2025–2026 to the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  The legislature finds that the August 2023 Maui wildfires were the deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii's history and one of the worst wildfires in the United States in over a century.  Beyond the immediate destruction, survivors continue to face toxic exposures, respiratory illness, and mental health trauma.  Children, first responders, kupuna, and medically vulnerable individuals remain at especially high risk.

     In response, the university of Hawaii and its partners established the Maui wildfire exposure study and the Maui health registry, which together represent the most comprehensive social and health biomonitoring effort ever conducted in state history.  To date, more than two thousand residents have received services including medical and mental health screenings, biomonitoring, and referrals to care.  Community trust has been built with members of Maui's diverse community, including immigrant community members.

     The legislature further finds that additional funding is needed to expand and sustain these services, with a focus on children and other high-risk populations, and to ensure long-term follow-up through the Maui health registry for up to five thousand individuals.

     The purpose of this Act is to make an emergency appropriation to the university of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui wildfire exposure study and Maui health registry.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025–2026 for the university of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui wildfire exposure study and Maui health registry, to include follow-up and expanded services for children, first responders, kupuna, and medically vulnerable residents.

     SECTION 4.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

UH; Maui Wildfire Exposure Study; Maui Health Registry; Emergency Appropriation

Description:

Makes an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2025–2026 to the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  803-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2340

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2340, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa; one member of the Maui County Council; Hawaiʻi Public Health Association; Hawaiʻi Community Health; Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; ʻAhahui o nā Kauka; Climate Change and Health Working Group; Roots Reborn; Hawaii Medical Association; and numerous individuals.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2340, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  406-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2340

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2340 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; one member of the Maui County Council; Hawaii Medical Association; American Cancer Society Center Action Network; Hawaiʻi Public Health Association; Kaiser Permanente; Hawaiʻi Climate Change & Health Working Group; American Lung Association in Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Community Health; and numerous individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and the Maui Health Registry have been extremely successful in the wake of the disastrous Lahaina wildfires, providing services to more than two thousand residents, including medical and mental health screenings, biomonitoring, and referrals to care.  Your Committee further finds that additional funding is needed to expand and sustain these services, with a focus on children and other high-risk populations, as well as to ensure long-term follow-up.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $1,500,000.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2340, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2340, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,