STAND. COM. REP. NO.  246-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2914

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2914 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to designate a new or expanding skilled nursing facility located outside of a state enterprise zone as a business eligible for enterprise zone benefits.

     Your Committee received testimony from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism that supported the concept of the measure, and from the Department of Taxation that provided comments.  Your Committee also received testimony from a concerned individual.

     Your Committee finds that as the State's aged population increases, so does the demand for skilled nursing facilities.  Your Committee further finds that state support for nursing facilities is necessary to ensure the viability and growth of these facilities to address the needs of the aged and disabled.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2914 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns.

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

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair