Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services

Calling the 1pm Joint Hearing for Health Human Services and Committee on Higher Education. This meeting is being streamed live on YouTube. In the unlikely event that we have to abruptly end this hearing due to technical difficulties, the committees will reconvene to discuss any outstanding business on Friday 21st March, 1pm in room 225.

For those on zoom, your audio will be muted and video disabled until shortly before it is your turn to testify. Each testify will have one minute to testify. If there's a technical glitch during your time to testify, we may have to move on to the next person due to time constraints.

I will be reading a list of individuals who submit written testimony for each measure with we apologize if the closed captioning does not accurately transcribe the names. If you are interested in reviewing the written testimony, please go to the Legislator's website. You will find a link on the status page for the measure.

We appreciate your understanding and remind you that the Committee does have your testimony that I reviewed them. So I encourage you to use your time to either add additional comments or you can stand on your written testimony. First up we have.

Excuse me.

For HHS HRE relating to cigarette taxes. First up we have Department of Taxation providing comments.

Well, good afternoon Chairs, Vice Chairs, Members of the Committees. Winston Wong, Administrative Rules Officer on behalf of the Department of Taxation. The Department stands on its written testimony providing comments on this measure.

Just highlighting that the only request that we have in the event this Bill is passed is that it take effect by January 1, 2026 if the rates are changed in order to allow for us to order and issue new stamps. That's all. I'll be available for questions if you have any.

Okay, thank you very much. Next we have Department of Health in support.

Good afternoon, I'm Lola Urban representing the Department of Health. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony Chair and Vice Chairs. So cigarettes are not a part of creating a healthy future for our children and families. And increasing the cigarette prices work to deter young people and youth from starting cigarettes.

We know that 80% of people who start get addicted. No one is ever grateful that they started using cigarettes. Cigarettes are still the leading cause of preventable disease and death. So we support HB441 and we do request that the price increase go up to 21 cents. It has not increased since 2011.

Right now it's 16 cents a stick. So we are requesting a 5 cent increase. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.

Thank you very much. Next we have Deputy Attorney General in support. Richard Stacy, are you present? I am. Okay. Please proceed.

Good afternoon. Rich Stacy, Deputy AG with Tobacco Enforcement. We do support HP441. We do realize that the cancer center is a very important plays a very important role. And as Lola Irvin mentioned, the taxes haven't been raised since 2011. Clearly health costs have not gone down over that time period. So we do support this effort.

Also for our own unit, we are underfunded at the moment. We did get some funding that's coming in soon from last year's Bill. Thank you very much. But this would also help support tobacco enforcement. We do always risk arbitration on in tobacco and with the big tobacco companies. We've been negotiating for another settlement that hasn't happened.

We got $36 million last year in MSA money. We're expecting a similar amount this year. We need the money to keep funded available for comments. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And I apologize to Senators present with me are my co chairs, Senator Kim, Vice Chair, Senator Kidani, my Vice Chair Senator Aquino and Senator Keohokalole. Okay, moving on. Dr. Lewin, state health Planning and Development Agency and support.

We stand on our testimony and strong support.

Thank you very much. Next we have Dr. Ueno of University of Hawaii System and support.

Yes, My name is Nao Towen. I'm the Director of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. I stand on the written testimony. Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund has been instrumental in advancing cancer research, clinical care, and community outreach. Thus we renew the NCI destination with the best score in the history.

This Fund has helped to advance our cancer care by research. Fiscal responsibility is our priority. Other under President Hansel's leadership, we are working on a roadmap to address challenges at the Kakaako campus. An effort to improve efficiency and to further impact our patient and community.

As the only NCI designated cancer center in the Pacific, we have a responsibility to our community. This investment strengthens our economy, attract federal grants and ensures local patient receive world class care without leaving home. Mahalo for your time and support.

Thank you very much. Next we have Tom Yamachika, Tax foundation of Hawaii. I see Jade, please proceed.

Thank you. Good afternoon, this is Jade McMillan. On behalf of the Tax foundation of Hawaii we've submitted some comments on the measure. Within our comments we've noted that Bill contains many blanks. So that was provides many blanks which does prohibit proper vetting. The next question we're wondering is what's the purpose of the tobacco tax?

If the goal is to make people stop smoking by using it cost prohibitive, then it does seem to be working. As predicted the programs that have been fed by the earmarks from the tobacco tax have become a victim of success of tobacco cessation programs and publicities.

So the revenues have been declined and hosting the age from 20 to 21 didn't really reverse the trend. We feel that fiscal reliance from syntax inadvisable and the tax law is not the best way to affect behavior. Thank you.

Okay, thank you very much. Next we have Jacob McCumber Rosin, Tax Foundation providing comments. Michael Zenner, Hawaii Smokers alliance in opposition. Lindsey Stroud, Tobacco Harm Reduction 101 providing comments. Lindsay, are you present on Zoom? Please proceed.

I am. Can you hear me? Yes. Okay, thank you. I do stand by my written comments. I just really wanted to highlight some points. Versus Bills not needed. Smoking rates are at the historic lows. Only 9% of adults were currently smoking in 2023 and only 3% of high schoolers were.

I also want to point out that this is very very regressive. Adults who make $25,000 or less were three times more likely to smoke in 2023 than counterparts who were earning 50,000 do dollars or more.

And that same year, adults who had not completed high school were hearts equivalent or 3.8 times more likely to smoke than Hawaiians with college degrees. So all of that's coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

Happy to answer any questions or go over those numbers and thank you for your time today.

Thank you very much, Lindsay. Next we have JC Mc Queen's Health Systems and support the number one store. He met Nam Hwang in opposition. Mr. Hwang, are you present on Zoom?

They are on Zoom chair.

Mr. Wong, turn on your video and your microphone and please proceed. Okay, while we are waiting for you to turn on your mic and your. Oh, there you are. Please proceed.

Hello. Chair and community Member, my name is Hee Nam Hwang. I have owned a family business in Honolulu for over 20 years. I understand the goal of increasing cigarette attacks to find cancer research but I worry about the bigger impact. Increasing cigarette tax hit low income people harder as they have less disposable income.

My customer have a different time as it is. This Bill will push people to buy cigarettes from illegal market which is proven to happen like in California and pollster the stay enforcement of rule and safety is challenging as it is possible leading to more danger for the public health.

Instead of raising tax, we should-

Thank you very much. Next one non stop convenience in opposition one a Mayun Hye SNK wholesale in opposition. Next Up. Michelle Jordan, Discount Smoke Shop, Hawaii. Are you a present, Ms. Mr. Jordan? Ms. Jordan.

Not present on zoom.

Chair, Hawaii Public Health Institute. In support. Kevin Ramirez.

Aloha and good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair and Members of the Committee. I'm Kevin Ramirez, the program manager for the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii, which is a program of the Hawaii Public Health Institute. Here to testify in support with amendments for HB441HD2.

We respectfully request the Bill be amended to raise the tax by at least a dollar per pack to maximize potential public health benefits for youth prevention and adult cessation. A tax increase of a dollar per pack would see a 6.9 reduction in smoking for youth under 18 years of age and approximately 2,000 current adult smokers would quit.

A cigarette tax increase is long overdue. It's been 13 years since the cigarette tax was last raised. Increasing cigarette taxes regularly corrects for inflation and consumer purchasing power. Recent polling shows strong voter support. According to an independent poll conducted By Ward Research, 78% of registered Hawaii voters support an increase in cigarette taxes.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of HB441HD2. We respectfully ask you to pass this measure out of Committee with the requested amendments. Mahalo.

Okay, thank you very much. Next we have Tina Yamaki, retail merchants of Hawaii, in opposition. Tina Yamaki, are you present on zoom?

Not present on Zoom Chair.

Next we have Cynthia Au. I see Cynthia Au here. American Cancer Society in support.

Thank you, Chairs, Vice chairs and Joint Committee Members. My name is Cynthia Au. On behalf of the American Cancer Society or American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network or ACS CAN. ACS CAN supports with amendments. ACS CAN supports increased funding for UH Cancer Center.

9000 residents from Hawaii will hear the words you have cancer this year and more than 2,000 are expected to die from the disease. While projections in 2025 mark an uptick in diagnoses, new diagnoses.

There's a decline in deaths compared to 2024 because of institutions like the UH Cancer center, which provides important cancer research, access to life saving treatment, including clinical trials and education, which play a critical role in reducing the cancer burden for our diverse population.

In Hawaii, tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of cancer and 1400 adults will die from smoking this year. Respectfully ask that you increase the cigarette tax to 5 cents a stick or a dollar per pack. This will reduce future health care costs for the State of Hawaii.

Thank you very much, Cynthia. Okay, next up, Grace Sakonichi, Chinatown Liquors in opposition. Grace Sakonichi are you present on Zoom?

Not present on Zoom Chair.

Next, we have even OY American Heart Association in support. Evan. Okay, we're moving on. Young Park, Wawa Village Market in opposition. Young Park, are you present on Zoom?

Yes, I am.

Okay, please proceed.

Good afternoon, Members of Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today in opposition to House Bill 441. As a concerned citizen and representative of our community, I am here to voice my opposition to the proposed tax increases outlined in House Bill441.

Raising taxes will not only be the burden of hardworking families, but also have unintended consequences that could harm our community in the long run. First, by increasing taxes, we individually incentivize the growth of illicit market. When legal products become too expensive due to the high taxes, consumers often turn to unregulated sources to meet their needs.

This not only diminishes the expected revenue from the tax increase, but also puts consumers at risk by pushing them into unregulated markets where product safety and quality cannot be quite guaranteed. Second, when the only solution discussed is to raise taxes, it seems the community isn't being heard.

I'm sorry, miss, I'm sorry. Your time is up. Okay, next up we have Kona Liquor Store in opposition by and Yee Coalition for Tobacco, Free Hawaii Youth Council. Scott Stenzod in support, Dennis Hall, Americans for Tax Reform and opposition. Dennis Hall, are you present on Zoom?

Yes, ma' am. On behalf of ATR, I stand in opposition to HB441 as not only an infringement on consumer choice, but as a highly regressive tax. Take a look at New York low income people are spending a quarter of their income on cigarettes, but the well off are spending about 2%.

And you'll continue seeing a trend in this direction if this Bill is to pass. And it's worth noting that even though a pack of cigarettes is now 20 bucks in New York, a double digit percentage of the population continue to smoke.

So to solve this problem once and for all, I believe it will take more than public information campaigns or even the high taxes you're promoting in this Bill today. It'll take ease of access to real effective alternatives that provide nicotine to these people, which is what they really need.

And that's what flavored vapor products and nicotine patches have, the near miraculous abilities you provide. Please take a look at my written testimony on this Bill where I've included a list of reasons why it's crucial that you support these alternatives.

And I hope that you allow your constituents to make this important choice for themselves rather than pressure them, coerce them, and force them. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Next we have Ra Long, RNK Liquor and Grocery in opposition. Ra Long, please come on up.

Hello, Chair, Vice Chair and Members of the Committee. My name is Ra Long. I've been in a business in Chinatown for over 12 years. I'm here to express my opposition to HB 441. If HB 441 passes, it won't stop smoking. It will just drive more people to illegal sources. I understand the concerns around smoking and public health.

But I must highlight an unintended consequence of higher taxes which is the growth of an already driving illegal market here in Hawaii. Right now our community is already dealing with influx of illegal Chinese cigarettes being sold on the streets, in game rooms and through unregulated vendors.

These products are smuggled in untaxed, unregulated and often sold to anyone without regard to public health or age of consumer. Increasing taxes will increase the illicit market here today. That is already a challenge to manage as we have seen with the lack of illegal firework enforcement. I urge this community to please oppose this Bill. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Next we have Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights and Support Lies and Guilt Tobacco Free Kits.

But I will stand on our testimony in support with also with the amendments. We have been looking at this issue and across the board and I think I would like to echo what HIFI has communicated that we haven't seen an increase in tobacco tax in 13 years.

And obviously we've seen a significant amount of consumer purchase price change and inflation since that time. Mahalo.

Okay, thank you very much. Ray Barra, Hawaii Pacific Health in support. Travis Yoshinaga, American Market in opposition. Jeffrey Kwan, Young's Wine and Spirit in opposition. Gerald Morita, Cigarettes and Things in opposition. Alan Johnson, HSAQ Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition in support. Dr. Ignacio, Hawaii Medical Association. In support of Danny Huang, Eva Pantry and Kakaaka Smokes and Bev Mart, in opposition.

Michael Young, Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction center, in support. Chevelle Davis, Hawaii Children's Action Network speaks in support. Ian Ross, YNI Coast Comprehensive and Support Health Center.

Thank you very much. Chair San Buenaventura, Chair Donna Kim. On behalf of the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. We are in strong support of this measure. As a health center located in a community with higher rates of tobacco compared to state averages. We're acutely aware of the devastating impacts on the community.

Lung cancer, heart disease, other conditions linked to smoking remain leading causes of preventable death in our State, we believe this measure is a step in the right direction and we urge your support. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. William Goose, Cigar Association of America in opposition. Luke Itomura in support. Luke, are you present?

Aloha chairs, Vice chairs, and Committee Members. My name is Luke Itamura and I'm a sophomore at Punahou School. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in strong support of HB441 with an amendment to increase the cigarette tax by at least $1 per pack.

As a youth advocate, I've spent years working to protect my generation from the dangers of tobacco. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in Hawaii, taking 1,400 lives each year. And yet 95% of adult smokers start before the age of 21. This issue affects my peers who could become addicted before they even understand the risk.

Research has consistently shown that smaller tax increases fail to create the significant behavioral changes needed to reduce smoking rates. A $1 increase, however, would have a measurable impact, leading to 2,000 adults who currently smoke quitting, a 6.9% decrease in youth under 18 who smoke, and $31.8 million in long term health care cost savings.

This Bill is more than just about numbers. It's about protecting future generations from addiction and disease. By raising the cigarette tax by at least $1 per pack, we can prevent young people from ever picking up that first cigarette.

Thank you very much, Brian. Luke. Next is Brian me in support. Brian are. Okay, next. Kahu Dennis Barger in support. Jessica Chang in opposition. Larry Lang Wu in support. Sherry Parubu in support. Gailey Chida in support. Becky Ward in support. Karen Kalanta in support. Tripit Revitzman in support. Kangas Lee in support. Cam Ming in support.

Tina Weilburger in support. And we have a list of another 20 other people in support and one person in opposition. Anybody else wishing to testify on HB 441 Members, any questions? Okay. Oh, we also have Senator Hashimoto present. Are you ready for decision making? Okay, you have quorum. Okay, so he's in both of ours. Okay.

So for HB441HD2, the Chairs having conferred, we are going to pass this with amendments. We're going to replace the contents with SB 1528 SD1 with the following exceptions. We are going to accept DOE taxes, proposed amendment. And on Section 3, line 7, this is what it looks like. All of those.

All of these, then all of these can go to the debt. Sorry, these. All of these go to debt or just from B C and D. That's why I said. So all of this, I mean, basically we're just going to say all proceeds go to debt deduction. I'm just going to take all of this out.

Yeah, just say all that. Okay. And with the other exception being that on Section 3, subsection 7, all proceeds from the increased tax shall go towards the Hawaii Cancer Center's debt reduction and defective date of December 312015. Any comments, questions, concerns? Questions? Yes.

Senator Kidani, before the vote, I would just like to know if there has been any surveys from here or other states as to what happens to the population of the smokers once cigarette taxes are higher. Do they go on to something different, stronger? Okay. What's the downside?

Okay, so I believe somebody here, I think a gentleman on Zoom, mentioned it in New York, where it wasn't expected to come back smoking at all.

So the opposition is saying that basically it doesn't affect.

Yeah, no, but my question is, really, what else do they do if they're not smoking? Vaping. So this is not including vaping? No, no. Just. Okay. Any other comments? Okay.

Any other comments, questions, concerns? Okay. Saying none. Vice Chair for the vote. Pass with amendments.

Okay. House Bill 441, House Draft 2. Recommendation of the chairs to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair, vote aye. Senator Hashimoto, Aye. Senator Keohokalole. Aye. Senator Favella. Aye. Recommendation is adopted.

Chair, same. Recommendation for the Committee on Higher Education.

Sure. Votes. Any discussion Members? Hearing none? Chair votes aye.

Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes no. Senator Fukunaga. Excused. Senator Hashimoto. Senator Favilla. It's just adopted, Madam Chair.

Okay. And with that, the joint session of Health, Human Services and Higher Education is adjourned.

Calling the 110 calendar.

Health and Human Services for HB1 1334 relating to meat donation. First up we have Nicholas Vargas for DLNR and support. Are you in support or dlnr? No. Okay. Yes. You're gonna stand on your written testimony. Thank you very much. Okay, next up, Department of Agriculture in support. Is Department of Agriculture available? No. Council Member Yuki Lee Segura.

In support of Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau and support Jackie Keith. Maui Adaption Project and support Lauren Zerville, Hawaii Food Industry Association and support Lauren Zurbal. Are you present on zoom?

Not present on Zoom.

Chair Robin Keane, Maui Wild Game Management to feed the hungry and support. Anybody else wishing to testify in HB 1334 relaying to meat donation? Okay. Seeing none. Members, any questions? Seeing none. Moving on. HB 1098 relating to crimes against protective services workers. First up, Director Yamane in support.

Directive.

Thank you very much. Department of Law Enforcement. Mike Lambert in support. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney's office in support. Stick around.

Good afternoon. Go ahead. Good afternoon.

Chair, Vice Chair and Members of the Committee. Daniel Hugo for the Honolulu Prosecutor's Office. And we're in strong support of this bill. We will just note in addition to our written testimony, that there are chilling effects when protective services workers face the threat of assault.

And so we do think that a greater deterrent is justified in those cases. I'm available for questions. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you very much. Thomas Chang, Honolulu Police Department, in support. Officer Chang, are you present on Zoom?

This is Acting Captain Trent, who's present for Captain Chang.

Okay. Please proceed.

Okay. The Honolulu Police Department is in support of this.

Could you turn on your video? Is that possible?

Oh, yes, I think so. Hold on one second. Okay. Can you see me now?

Yes.

Okay, so the HPD supports House Bill number 1098 relating to crimes against protective service workers. This bill appropriately provides an additional mechanism to protect our protective service workers against assaults and threats while performing their official job duties. Protective service workers are public servants who perform vital tasks to ensure our community Members are healthy and safe.

Signing these measures into law will help better protect our protective service workers from harm and threats. And I'll be available for any questions.

Okay, thank you very much. Next, we have Malena Mckee in support. Anybody else wishing testify in SB 1098? Thank you. Anybody else wishing testify on SB on HB 1098? Seeing none. Members, any questions?

Yeah, I do. Prosecutor's office.

Prosecutor's office.

Mr. Hugo. So I'm looking at the bill, and it says in subsection 1, a person commits the offense of assault in the second degree if A. They intentionally, knowingly, recklessly cause substantial bodily injury to another. And then. And then we have the same standard for correctional workers in your, you know, you know, testimony.

Teachers, healthcare workers, emergency services providers. What's wrong with subsection A that we gotta have subsections? BCD all the way down, and we just keep doing this every year, so.

Senator, substantial bodily injury has a specific meaning. It's limited to five classes of injury, some of which include a major laceration, avulsion, or penetration of the skin. That's one category. Another is a broken bone. There's. There's also second degree burns.

So if an injury falls outside of that classification, it merely qualifies as bodily injury, which is a misdemeanor. So an example that I can give is if an assailant bruises, causes massive bruising to the victim, but does not fall into any of those specific classes of substantial bodily injury. That remains a misimmer.

Any other questions?

Okay, I guess that, that makes sense, but, I mean, I haven't heard the prosecutor's office ever come in and go, you know what? We should just make assault. We should just. We should just strike the substantial bodily injury because, you know, would you guys be opposed to that approach?

Because this is, I swear, the seventh year in a row where we've had some special class come in and ask for felony protection. And it just seems like what I'm hearing you say is that the misdemeanor doesn't work.

So what I would also point out is that the State of mind for these steps, status offenses, where the victim's status is an element of the crime, is also intentionally or knowingly.

So we have to prove that they were aware and that the attack therefore was most likely motivated by that person's status as particular workers who do get into volatile situations. Now, if the Legislature wanted to consider maybe creating just a broader category of, of people for this offense or consolidating them, I'm certainly happy to discuss ways.

But this is, this is dealing with something that's more like our assault on law enforcement statute, where it's not just the injury, but it's also the status of the worker that is a part of the offense.

Right. Like subsection N, which is basically refs. Right. It just seems like this section doesn't work and we're just going to keep doing this every year until we have absolutely every professional category.

Well, you will get no argument from me about the need to take tougher action against criminals. And part of this happens because we see these cases come up and they merely qualify for misdemeanor penalties.

Yeah. I mean, this is more a reactive approach than maybe it's time for us to take a more proactive approach on this section and the offense. Right. Until we. Because otherwise we're just going to keep waiting until some person in some industry gets beat up real bad and then they get added to the subsection.

We're certainly in favor of a proactive approach, and I'd be happy to talk about ways that could happen, but on the specific merits of this Bill, our office does support it.

All right. Well, I would. I. Well, then if that's the case, I appreciate that, and I, And I thank you for that comment.

And I would say that if in the future we see another measure like this, I would hope that the prosecutor's office would offer some proactive opinion on this rather than going all the way to subsection Z and then double A and all the way back. Thank you. Thank you, Chair. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Any other questions? Director Yamane, come on up. Okay, so I saw that the Department of Health, Department of Human Services testimony about an incident that occurred on the mainland.

And I fully understand the increased stressors on the social workers with a high vacancy rate and the high emotion that is occurring sort of in line with Senator Keohukolole's questioning. Other than. And I see the need for this. Okay.

I mean, because we want to say the Legislator wants to put a position that we support our social workers, but is the Department doing anything else to increase the safety of these social workers, especially in highly volatile situations where a child may end up having to be.

Yes, sure. So we actually are working right now with the Department of Law Enforcement, not only in placement of panic buttons throughout all of our offices, also looking at Apps that social workers and our child welfare, as well as Adult Protective Service staff can use in which they can have it on their phone.

The difference regarding the response is many of these we wanted to go to the sheriffs because state sheriffs monitor state buildings. However, for the sites that we are doing private, we would go through HPD.

We're also looking at upgrading our security systems, both cameras, door locks, and we are trying to work that right now, not only with DAGs, but with those that we currently have contracts for for our rental space. So we're looking at those.

Some of the things we are trying to finalize is additional training for, let's say, active shooter, on site training. And we're doing all these to increase safety and awareness.

Okay. And the money is necessary for those. The apps, the panic button and the like, are those part of the budget?

Currently we're working with Delhi because they may have some funds. Those funds that are not enough, we are looking internally to cover it. So we do. We did have a request in the budget to cover statewide expansion of all of this. However, we do want to put in some measures immediately.

So I am looking at current ways to be creative with our current Fund to cover that.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Anybody, any other questions? I have a question for the Director. Okay.

Yes, this just came to me. Okay. Have you considered body cameras for, like, your CPS workers?

We have not. That's an interesting idea. We'll bring it back for us. Regarding our children and youth, there's some concerns about, you know, you know, having children, videotape. But we would look at that. I know in the past when at the ledge we looked at that, there was an issue about how you house the data collected. Right.

From the body cams. Who has access. Access to it, who can use it in those circumstances. But I wouldn't right now, I would not turn away any idea to increase safety for our workers.

Right. Cause I acknowledge. But I mean, a lot of the protection that are required for the dissemination of video that includes minors is already in the. You already got to follow those rules. Right.

So then we'd be talking about redacting or blurring faces or whatever if the content were needed to be distributed in some sort of public forum. Right. So that's correct. Maybe not. So you're not saying no. Okay, thank you. Yeah, that's enough.

Stick around. One more question. Follow up. My. My understanding regarding. Especially for. Remember, a policeman is already involved. Correct. So that that policeman will have the body camera available.

Typically, we involve law enforcement. So for example, if we do, it comes into our line, we send out a team, crisis response team that we go out and we feel we need law enforcement. We will contact HPD because we do not have the legal authority just to access homes without cost.

Okay. But it's the. It's the potential for visitation and other. Where no, there's no law enforcement that you may need these other safety measures. Correct. Okay. Any other questions? Okay. Sing nan. Moving on. HB 1079 relating to trauma informed care, first. Next up, Director Yamane in support. Thank you. Next. Hawaii State Council on Mental Health in support.

Trina Orimoto, Office of Wellness and Resilience in support.

Good afternoon, Chair, Vice Chair. Members of the Committee, three things in addition to our written testimony. First of all, thank you so much for hearing this Bill. Second, it is one of the few remaining bills alive this second that has an action item from the Malama Ohana Working group. So we do see it as a priority.

And lastly, we're humbly requesting for the Committee's consideration appropriations for 420,000 over two for the two year program. As many of you have wisely noted in prior Committee hearings, we understand the financial uncertainty given all of the federal changes. However, we see this Bill with the perspiation as.

As an integral part of the transformational change and support that the Malama Ohana Working Group has recommended and asked for. We stand ready for questions and really appreciate again you hearing the spell.

Okay, thank you very much. Next we have Marilyn Yamamoto, Hawaii Coalition for Child Protective Reform and Support Nareen Cole, Hawaii Children's Action Network speaks in support Nanohe Botelo, Hawaii Coalition for Child Protective Reform. And support J. Judith Clark, Hawaii Youth Services Network. And support Laura Laurie Sachiki. And support anybody else wishing to testify on HB 1079 Members.

Members any questions? Okay. Seeing none. Can we move on to decision making? Okay, you got all the vote sheets. Okay. So for HB 1334, Chair's recommendation is to pass this only with a different defective date of 12-31-2050. Otherwise no other amendments. Any comments, questions? Concerns Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay. Voting on House Bill 1334, House Draft 3, Recommendation of the chair to pass as SD1, Chair and Vice Chair vote aye. [roll call] Recommendation is adopted, Chair.

So for HB 1098 HD1, Chair's recommendation is to also pass this but also with a different effective date of December 31, 2050. And I'd like to note to Department of Human Services that the Senate Bill version of this died in JDC.

So we urge you to be proactive as to the other steps to protect our social workers and getting those funding. Okay, so thank you very much. Any other comments, questions, concerns seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote.

Okay. Four Members are present. Anyone voting with reservations. Any no's recommendation is adopted. Chair.

Thank you. So for HB 1079, Chair's recommendation is to all also pass this just with a different defective date of December 31, 2050. We are going to note on the Committee report OWR's request of 420,000 for this. I'd also like to point out to OWR that the Senate Bill version of this also died in Wham.

So we urge you to implement what you need without, with the funds you already have. And let's see what we can do next year. So just because it passes this Committee doesn't mean it's gonna pass. Okay, Any other comments, questions, concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair put a vote. Chair.

Okay, four Members are present. Any reservations? Any no's? Recommendation is adopted. Chair.

And with that, the 110 calendar is adjourned.

Calling the Joint Committee on Health Human Services and Economic Development and Tourism. Present with US is our EDT chair. It is Senator Du. First up, we have HB. The only measure HB 714 relating to healthcare workforce development. First up we have Director Yamani who left in support. Comments. Are you present for DHS on zoom?

Not present on Zoom. Chair.

Okay. Daintree Bartoles, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Support. Thank you. Very much. James Tokioka of D&Support. Dennis, support. Thank you very much. Jack Le, State Health Planning and Development Agency. Support stands on his testimony and support. Chair, thank you very much. Laura Nagle, University of Hawaii System and support. Laura Nagle, you present on Zoom.

Not present on Zoom. Zoom. Chair.

And I'm with the community colleges. So we do stand. Okay. And you are? Excuse me. Community colleges. Thank you. Community Colleges Incident support. Hilton Raethel. I see that you're here. Healthcare Association Hawaii and support.

Thank you, Chair. Vice Chairs, Members of the Committee. This measure will provide state funding particular two years to continue and expand proven healthcare workforce development for high school students and current nurses. We have 4700 openings for non physician patient facing roles within the State of Hawaii. With a growing need for entry level positions like cnas.

The programs supported by this measure are having a material impact on addressing our workforce pipeline. Last year we were able to serve more than 100 public high school students across 14 schools, achieving a 98% completion rate and 75% employment rate. We're also able to support 34 CNAs in the Glide Path program.

And we have over 50 students enrolled in the program this year. So healthcare employers have heavily invested in these programs, providing instructors, hands on training and financial stipends. With your support, we'll be able to continue these programs. We have requested an amendment to remove a reference to capital expenditures because this funding request is for programmatic expenses only.

Thank you. Your time.

Okay, thank you very much. Next we have Jonathan Chink, Kaiser Permanente in support. Kaiser. No. Casey McCullanek, Queens Health Systems in support. Queens. Nope. Mike Min, Aloha Care and support. Mike Min, are you present on Zoom?

Not present on Zoom. Chair.

Okay. Laura Reichardt, Hawaii State Center for Nursing and support. Hawaii State Council on Mental Health in support. Makena Woodward, Office of Hawaiian Affairs in support. Elena Kabatu, Hilo Benioff Medical center and support. Eric Abe, Hawaii Primary Care Association. Support Kobe Chalk, Alzheimer's Association of Hawaii and support Dr. Elizabeth Ignacio, Hawaii Medical Association.

Support Linda Bichener, Hawaii American Nurses Association and support Michael Robinson of Hawaii Pacific Health. Support for Lonnie Smith, Liberty Dialysis in support. Aaron Rogan and Roseanne Nolan or Sherman. Support Walden Alf, Hmsa in support. Ann Schwartz, Sharnhart's in support. Christine Masaloi in support. Anybody else wishing testifying, HB714 Members. Any questions?

Come on.

Thank you very much. Anybody else wishing testifying, HB714 Members. Any questions? So I do. Tammy, could you come on up? Sorry, you're the only one from State. How much is this gonna cost? Do you know? Because none of the testimony I got has a cost.

May I refer to Hilton Raethel on this?

Hilton Raethel, how much is this gonna cost?

Just under 1.5 million for two years.

Okay.

For each of two years. So there's two. Two different programs and approximately 750,000 per program each year.

Yeah. Okay. Thank you very much. Any other questions? Seeing none. Member?

I'm waiting for one more right now.

Okay, but HHS can can vote. So for HHS Chair's recommendation is to pass this with amendments. We're going to note the blank appropriation already on there as well as just change the defective date to December 31, 2050. We're also going to pass this with HAH's proposed amendments.

And we're going to note in the Committee report the $750,000 request for each of the two fiscal years requested. Any other comments? Questions? Concerns? Seeing none. Vice Chair for the vote. Passed with amendments.

Voting on House Bill 714. House Draft 1. Recommendation of the Chairs to pass with amendments. Chair and Vice Chair vote Aye. [Roll Call] Recommendation is adopted Chair.

Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, Same request. Vice Chair for the vote.

[Roll Call] Chair your recommendations adopted. Thank you.

And with that, we are adjourned. Thank you, folks.