HB 718: JABSOM; Faculty and Staff Positions; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the basic mission of the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine (JABSOM) is to teach and train high-quality physicians, biomedical scientists, and allied health workers for Hawaii and the Pacific.  JABSOM's major purpose is to provide an opportunity for a medical education previously unavailable to residents of Hawaii and other Pacific nations.  JABSOM is committed to educating current and future health care professionals and leaders, delivering high-quality health care, and conducting research and translating discoveries into practice in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature further finds that additional faculty positions in cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics will strengthen JABSOM's biomedical and health disparities translational "bench to bedside" research strategy.  This directly benefits the Hawaii and Asia-Pacific regions' ecological and human health by addressing linkages between cardiovascular disease and treatments, environmental factors, and human health, and includes biostatistical data collection and health analytics focused on the people of Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature also finds that advancement of JABSOM's research mission enables the health care community to understand better potential health disparities across a wide spectrum of conditions and diseases commonly experienced by many in Hawaii who are already at a higher risk for disease or suffer disproportionately.  The basic science position in cardiovascular biology will help further foundational knowledge that can then be used by JABSOM's clinicians, researchers in the department of Native Hawaiian health, and community partners to develop better risk reduction strategies or new interventions that will reduce cardiovascular diseases among individuals of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island descent.

     A senior faculty member in JABSOM's tropical medicine department will advance the department's education and research of globally significant infectious diseases of vital interest to Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.  The department's importance in addressing diseases of far-reaching consequences became known during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was vital to develop diagnostics and vaccines to preserve the health of Hawaii's residents efficiently and effectively, given Hawaii's remote location and isolated communities.

     Biostatisticians play a pivotal role in providing required education to medical students, residents, and other trainees, enriching the academic environment and facilitating student success.  Biostatisticians are also critical members of research teams, especially in this era of big data sets and utilizing artificial intelligence tools to perform analyses more quickly, which means that the data can be used to drive policy, programs, or new strategies more quickly.  Together, all three faculty positions enable JABSOM to further innovate and fulfill long-term goals to eliminate health disparities in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature additionally finds that the Kakaako health and wellness medical school buildings opened in 2005.  Since opening, the Honolulu board of water supply (BWS) has provided JABSOM's chilled water service operations, equipment maintenance, and injection well testing, and fulfilled reporting requirements.  BWS' twenty-year contract will end on September 15, 2025, and BWS has elected not to renew the contract.  JABSOM must contract a chiller plant-cooling system servicer to maintain uninterrupted operations and emergency services twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week for most of the chiller plant deferred maintenance and data processing.  Additionally, a new administrative, professional, and technical staff position, specifically an environmental health and safety officer, is needed to perform all the required daily, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual testing of the injection wells, and reporting duties.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine for:

     (1)  Faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  An environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $763,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine to fund:

     (1)  Three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) faculty positions: one each in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

JABSOM; Faculty and Staff Positions; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics, and an environmental health and safety officer staff position.  (CD1)

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

RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the basic mission of the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine (JABSOM) is to teach and train high-quality physicians, biomedical scientists, and allied health workers for Hawaii and the Pacific.  JABSOM's major purpose is to provide an opportunity for a medical education previously unavailable to residents of Hawaii and other Pacific nations.  JABSOM is committed to educating current and future health care professionals and leaders, delivering high-quality health care, and conducting research and translating discoveries into practice in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature further finds that additional faculty positions in cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics will strengthen JABSOM's biomedical and health disparities translational "bench to bedside" research strategy.  This directly benefits the Hawaii and Asia-Pacific regions' ecological and human health by addressing linkages between cardiovascular disease and treatments, environmental factors, and human health, and includes biostatistical data collection and health analytics focused on the people of Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature also finds that advancement of JABSOM's research mission enables the health care community to understand better potential health disparities across a wide spectrum of conditions and diseases commonly experienced by many in Hawaii who are already at a higher risk for disease or suffer disproportionately.  The basic science position in cardiovascular biology will help further foundational knowledge that can then be used by JABSOM's clinicians, researchers in the department of Native Hawaiian health, and community partners to develop better risk reduction strategies or new interventions that will reduce cardiovascular diseases among individuals of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island descent.

     A senior faculty member in JABSOM's tropical medicine department will advance the department's education and research of globally significant infectious diseases of vital interest to Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.  The department's importance in addressing diseases of far-reaching consequences became known during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was vital to develop diagnostics and vaccines to preserve the health of Hawaii's residents efficiently and effectively, given Hawaii's remote location and isolated communities.

     Biostatisticians play a pivotal role in providing required education to medical students, residents, and other trainees, enriching the academic environment and facilitating student success.  Biostatisticians are also critical members of research teams, especially in this era of big data sets and utilizing artificial intelligence tools to perform analyses more quickly, which means that the data can be used to drive policy, programs, or new strategies more quickly.  Together, all three faculty positions enable JABSOM to further innovate and fulfill long-term goals to eliminate health disparities in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature additionally finds that the Kakaako health and wellness medical school buildings opened in 2005.  Since opening, the Honolulu board of water supply (BWS) has provided JABSOM's chilled water service operations, equipment maintenance, and injection well testing, and fulfilled reporting requirements.  BWS' twenty-year contract will end on September 15, 2025, and BWS has elected not to renew the contract.  JABSOM must contract a chiller plant-cooling system servicer to maintain uninterrupted operations and emergency services twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week for most of the chiller plant deferred maintenance and data processing.  Additionally, a new administrative, professional, and technical staff position, specifically an environmental health and safety officer, is needed to perform all the required daily, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual testing of the injection wells, and reporting duties.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine for:

     (1)  Faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  An environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     SECTION 2.  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 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine to fund:

     (1)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) faculty positions:       each in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

JABSOM; Faculty and Staff Positions; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics, and an environmental health and safety officer staff position.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

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

RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the basic mission of the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine (JABSOM) is to teach and train high-quality physicians, biomedical scientists, and allied health workers for Hawaii and the Pacific.  JABSOM's major purpose is to provide an opportunity for a medical education previously unavailable to residents of Hawaii and other Pacific nations.  JABSOM is committed to educating current and future health care professionals and leaders, delivering high-quality health care, and conducting research and translating discoveries into practice in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature further finds that additional faculty positions in cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics will strengthen JABSOM's biomedical and health disparities translational "bench to bedside" research strategy.  This directly benefits the Hawaii and Asia-Pacific regions' ecological and human health by addressing linkages between cardiovascular disease and treatments, environmental factors, and human health, and includes biostatistical data collection and health analytics focused on the people of Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature also finds that advancement of JABSOM's research mission enables the health care community to understand better potential health disparities across a wide spectrum of conditions and diseases commonly experienced by many in Hawaii who are already at a higher risk for disease or suffer disproportionately.  The basic science position in cardiovascular biology will help further foundational knowledge that can then be used by JABSOM's clinicians, researchers in the department of Native Hawaiian health, and community partners to develop better risk reduction strategies or new interventions that will reduce cardiovascular diseases among individuals of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island descent.

     A senior faculty member in JABSOM's tropical medicine department will advance the department's education and research of globally significant infectious diseases of vital interest to Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.  The department's importance in addressing diseases of far-reaching consequences became known during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was vital to develop diagnostics and vaccines to preserve the health of Hawaii's residents efficiently and effectively, given Hawaii's remote location and isolated communities.

     Biostatisticians play a pivotal role in providing required education to medical students, residents, and other trainees, enriching the academic environment and facilitating student success.  Biostatisticians are also critical members of research teams, especially in this era of big data sets and utilizing artificial intelligence tools to perform analyses more quickly, which means that the data can be used to drive policy, programs, or new strategies more quickly.  Together, all three faculty positions enable JABSOM to further innovate and fulfill long-term goals to eliminate health disparities in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature additionally finds that the Kakaako health and wellness medical school buildings opened in 2005.  Since opening, the Honolulu board of water supply (BWS) has provided JABSOM's chilled water service operations, equipment maintenance, and injection well testing, and fulfilled reporting requirements.  BWS' twenty-year contract will end on September 15, 2025, and BWS has elected not to renew the contract.  JABSOM must contract a chiller plant-cooling system servicer to maintain uninterrupted operations and emergency services twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week for most of the chiller plant deferred maintenance and data processing.  Additionally, a new administrative, professional, and technical staff position, specifically an environmental health and safety officer, is needed to perform all the required daily, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual testing of the injection wells, and reporting duties.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine for:

     (1)  Faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  An environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     SECTION 2.  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 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine to fund:

     (1)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) faculty positions:       each in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)       full-time equivalent (     FTE) environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

JABSOM; Faculty and Staff Positions; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics, and an environmental health and safety officer staff position.  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

RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the basic mission of the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine (JABSOM) is to teach and train high-quality physicians, biomedical scientists, and allied health workers for Hawaii and the Pacific.  JABSOM's major purpose is to provide an opportunity for a medical education previously unavailable to residents of Hawaii and other Pacific nations.  JABSOM is committed to educating current and future health care professionals and leaders, delivering high-quality health care, and conducting research and translating discoveries into practice in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature further finds that additional faculty positions in cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics will strengthen JABSOM's biomedical and health disparities translational "bench to bedside" research strategy.  This directly benefits the Hawaii and Asia-Pacific regions' ecological and human health by addressing linkages between cardiovascular disease and treatments, environmental factors, and human health, and includes biostatistical data collection and health analytics focused on the people of Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature also finds that advancement of JABSOM's research mission enables the health care community to understand better potential health disparities across a wide spectrum of conditions and diseases commonly experienced by many in Hawaii who are already at a higher risk for disease or suffer disproportionately.  The basic science position in cardiovascular biology will help further foundational knowledge that can then be used by JABSOM's clinicians, researchers in the department of Native Hawaiian health, and community partners to develop better risk reduction strategies or new interventions that will reduce cardiovascular diseases among individuals of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island descent.

     A senior faculty member in JABSOM's tropical medicine department will advance the department's education and research of globally significant infectious diseases of vital interest to Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.  The department's importance in addressing diseases of far-reaching consequences became known during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was vital to develop diagnostics and vaccines to preserve the health of Hawaii's residents efficiently and effectively, given Hawaii's remote location and isolated communities.

     Biostatisticians play a pivotal role in providing required education to medical students, residents, and other trainees, enriching the academic environment and facilitating student success.  Biostatisticians are also critical members of research teams, especially in this era of big data sets and utilizing artificial intelligence tools to perform analyses more quickly, which means that the data can be used to drive policy, programs, or new strategies more quickly.  Together, all three faculty positions enable JABSOM to further innovate and fulfill long-term goals to eliminate health disparities in Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region.

     The legislature additionally finds that the Kakaako health and wellness medical school buildings opened in 2005.  Since opening, the Honolulu board of water supply (BWS) has provided JABSOM's chilled water service operations, equipment maintenance, and injection well testing, and fulfilled reporting requirements.  BWS' twenty-year contract will end on September 15, 2025, and BWS has elected not to renew the contract.  JABSOM must contract a chiller plant-cooling system servicer to maintain uninterrupted operations and emergency services twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week for most of the chiller plant deferred maintenance and data processing.  Additionally, a new administrative, professional, and technical staff position, specifically an environmental health and safety officer, is needed to perform all the required daily, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual testing of the injection wells, and reporting duties.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine for:

     (1)  Faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  An environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $763,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine to fund:

     (1)  Three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) faculty positions:  one each in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

JABSOM; Faculty and Staff Positions; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics, and an environmental health and safety officer staff position.

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

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 137

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2025

RE:    H.B. No. 718

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

       C.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madam and Sir:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the House of Representatives to the amendments proposed by the Senate in H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for:

     (1)  Faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  An environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an appropriation amount of $763,000 to fund:

          (A)  Three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) faculty positions:  one position each in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

          (B)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) environmental health and safety officer staff position; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2025.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1758

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 718

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

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 H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for additional faculty and staff positions.

     Specifically, this measure provides funding for:

     (1)  Faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  An environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency, University of Hawaii System, Hawaii Primary Care Association, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that establishing additional faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) will support important biomedical research and advance JABSOM's mission to train highly qualified health care workers for the State and the Pacific region.  Your Committee further finds that establishment of a health and safety officer position to maintain equipment will allow JABSOM to continue providing uninterrupted chiller plant‑cooling services and fulfilling reporting requirements.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion on the measure.

     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 H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1206

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 718

       H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for:

     (1)  Faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  An environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that establishing additional faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) will advance JABSOM's mission to teach and train high-quality physicians, biomedical scientists, and allied health workers for the State and Pacific.  Additionally, these positions will strengthen JABSOM's biomedical and health disparities translational "bench to bedside" research strategy.  Your Committee additionally finds that JABSOM must currently contract a chiller plant-cooling system servicer to ensure that operations and emergency services remain available, therefore the establishment of a health and safety officer position to maintain equipment will allow JABSOM to continue providing emergency services.

     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. 718, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  917

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 718

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for:

     (1)  Faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  An environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; and University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.

     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. 718, 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.  310

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 718

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 718 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) for:

     (1)  Faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  An environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine; University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; and Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association.

     Your Committee finds that additional faculty positions in cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics will enable JABSOM to better understand potential health disparities across a wide spectrum of conditions and diseases commonly experienced by many in the State who are already at higher risk for disease or who suffer disproportionately.

     Your Committee further finds that an environmental health and safety officer is needed at JABSOM's health and wellness medical school buildings to conduct the required testing of injection wells and reporting duties at the buildings once JABSOM's contract with the City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply expires on September 15, 2025.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the amount appropriated and number of positions to be funded to unspecified amounts; and

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

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $763,000 for JABSOM to fund:

     (1)  Three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) faculty positions:  one each in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics; and

     (2)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) environmental health and safety officer staff position.

     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. 718, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 718, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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