HB 2340

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
2340
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY
OF HAWAII.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
���� SECTION 1.�
This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in
accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of
Hawaii.
���� SECTION 2.�
The legislature finds that the August 2023 Maui wildfires were the
deadliest natural disaster in Hawaii's history and one of the
worst wildfires in the United States in over a century. �Beyond the immediate destruction, survivors
continue to face toxic exposures, respiratory illness, and mental health
trauma. �Children, first responders, kupuna,
and medically vulnerable individuals remain at especially high risk.
���� In response, the university of Hawaii and
its partners established the Maui wildfire exposure study and the Maui health registry,
which together represent the most comprehensive social and health biomonitoring
effort ever conducted in state history. �To
date, more than two thousand residents have received services including medical
and mental health screenings, biomonitoring, and referrals to care. �Community trust has been built with members of
Maui's diverse community, including immigrant community members.
���� The legislature further finds that
additional funding is needed to expand and sustain these services, with a focus
on children and other high-risk populations, and to ensure long-term follow-up
through the Maui health registry for up to five thousand individuals.
���� The purpose of this Act is to make an
emergency appropriation to the university of Hawaii to expand and sustain the
Maui wildfire exposure study and Maui health registry.
���� SECTION 3.�
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 for the university
of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui wildfire exposure study and Maui health
registry, to include follow-up and expanded services for children, first
responders, kupuna, and medically vulnerable residents.
���� The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
���� SECTION 4.�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
UH; Maui Wildfire Exposure Study; Maui Health Registry;
Emergency Appropriation
Description:
Makes an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2025�2026
to the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure
Study and Maui Health Registry.�
Effective 7/1/3000.� (HD1)
The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.