RELATING TO HEALTH.

2024 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 16 co-sponsors

HB 2805 allocates funds to address health impacts from the Maui wildfires and supports the Multiethnic Cohort Study, enhancing research on health disparities in Hawaii.

Senate Conferees Appointed: Kim Chair; Wakai, Lee Co-Chairs; Hashimoto, Fevella.

#appropriation #expenditureceiling($) #healtheffects #mauiwildfires #multiethniccohortstudy #uh #uhero

Overview

Bill HB 2805, introduced on January 24, 2024, aims to address health-related issues stemming from the Maui wildfires and to support ongoing health research initiatives, specifically the Multiethnic Cohort Study. The bill includes provisions for appropriations and sets an expenditure ceiling to manage funding effectively.

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of HB 2805 is to:
- Mitigate Health Effects: Address the health impacts resulting from the Maui wildfires.
- Support Research Initiatives: Fund the Multiethnic Cohort Study, which is crucial for understanding health disparities among diverse populations.
- Enhance Health Resources: Allocate resources to the University of Hawaii (UH) and the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) for health-related research and initiatives.

Key Provisions

Appropriation of Funds: The bill proposes specific funding allocations to support health initiatives related to the Maui wildfires and the Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Expenditure Ceiling: Establishes a limit on how much can be spent under this bill to ensure fiscal responsibility.

Collaboration with Educational Institutions: Encourages partnerships with UH and UHERO to leverage academic resources for health research.

Impact

Affected Entities:

Individuals: Residents impacted by the Maui wildfires who may experience long-term health effects.
Research Institutions: The University of Hawaii and its affiliated organizations will receive funding to conduct vital health research.

Public Health: The bill aims to improve public health outcomes by addressing immediate health concerns and contributing to long-term research on health disparities.

Legislative Timeline

Introduced: January 24, 2024

House Actions:

Passed First Reading: January 24, 2024
Passed Second Reading: February 16, 2024
Passed Third Reading: March 5, 2024

Senate Actions:

Received and amended: April 9, 2024
Senate Conferees Appointed: April 23, 2024

The bill is currently in the Senate, where conferees have been appointed to discuss further amendments and finalize the legislation.

Conclusion

HB 2805 represents a significant legislative effort to address health issues arising from environmental disasters and to enhance health research capabilities in Hawaii. By providing targeted funding and establishing a framework for collaboration, the bill seeks to improve health outcomes for affected populations and advance understanding of health disparities.

Bill