STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1584

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 108

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 108 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH WORKING GROUP TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND RISKS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE HEALTH OF HAWAII'S RESIDENTS AND TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS TO HEALTH STATEWIDE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Request the convening of a Climate Change and Health Working Group to assess the scope and risks of climate change on the health of Hawaii's residents and to develop a strategic plan to address climate change risks to health statewide; and

     (2)  Request that the Climate Change and Health Working Group submit a report, to be prepared and drafted by the Department of Health, of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2016.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Public Health Association, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that climate change, together with other natural and human-made health stressors, influences human health and disease in many ways.  As a result of climate change, some existing health threats will intensify, and in other cases, new health threats will emerge.  In 2014, the State's public health workers expressed a desire to help address the effects of climate change on health.  However, most public health workers feel that they lack the specific expertise, knowledge, or skills to do so.  Recognizing that climate change is one of the most significant public health issues, a coordinated public health response is needed to discuss emerging and perceived threats while also providing public health workers with the necessary education, skills, and resources.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Eliminating language stating that certified copies be transmitted to other identified agencies in health care and public health; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 108, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 108, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair