STAND. COM. REP. NO. I~LfJ~
Honolulu, Hawaii
MAR31 , 2023
RE: H.C.R. No. 55
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2023
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Higher Education & Technology, to which was
referred H.C.R. No. 55 entitled:
“HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
AT MANOA JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO PRIORITIZE
EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN HAWAII’S REPRODUCTIVE CARE WORKFORCE,
PARTICULARLY FOR RURAL AND REMOTE AREAS OF THE STATE,”
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to urge the University of
Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine to prioritize
efforts to strengthen Hawaii’s reproductive care workforce,
particularly for rural and remote areas of the State.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Democratic Party of Hawai’i Education Caucus, Imua
Alliance, Rainbow Family 808, IATSE Local 665, Democratic Party of
Hawaii Labor Caucus, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, and
nine individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition
to this measure from one individual.
Your Committee finds that as of 2022, only a few abortion
providers host reproductive care clinics in the State, which are
generally found only in Honolulu, on Maui, and in the Hilo area of
Hawaii island. Your Committee recognizes that preserving access
to safe and legal reproductive care is a vital public health
objective. In the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
2023-3050 HCR55 HSCR HMSO
 STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Page 2
decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court of the United
States erased nearly fifty years of legal precedent supporting the
fundamental right to reproductive freedom, leading to a wave of
abortion restrictions enacted by state legislatures across the
country. This decision disproportionately harms people of color,
for whom access to health care and economic opportunities has
historically been impeded.
Your Committee further finds that the State must act to
uphold Hawaii’s legacy as a leader in advancing reproductive care
and enact policies to strengthen reproductive rights in the State.
Your Committee believes that a pathway to strengthening
reproductive care in Hawaii is by strengthening the reproductive
care workforce and seeks the John A. Burns School of Medicine’s
assistance in prioritizing these efforts.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Higher Education & Technology that is attached to
this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of
H.C.R. No. 55 and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Higher Education &
Technology,
A. r~)~RUSO. Chair
2023-3050 HCR55 HSCR HMSO
 State of Hawaii
House of Representatives 4~(/9~~ 1~3‘tO
The Thirty-second Legislature
Record of Votes of the Committee on Higher Education & Technology
Bill/Resolution No.: Committee Referral: Date:
i1~ti? cc HEr ~3YlA / 2~tU~
D The committee is reconsidering its previous decision on the measure.
The recommendation is to: ~Pass, unamended (as is) C Pass, with amendments (HD) C Hold
C Pass short form bill with HD to recommit for future public hearing (recommit)
HET Members Ayes Ayes (WR) Nays Excused
1. PERRUSO, Amy A. (C)
2. KAPELA, Jeanne (VC)
3. EVSLIN, Luke A. V
4. LA CHICA, Trish
5. MARTEN, Lisa VI
6. MARTINEZ, Rose
7. MATAYOSHI, Scot Z.
8. QUINLAN, Sean
9. TODD, Chris
10. WOODSON, Justin H.
11. GARCIA, Diamond
TOTAL(11)
The recommendation is: Adopted L~ Not Adopted
If joint referral, did not support recommendation.
~ mmittee acro )
Vice Chair’s or designee’s signature:
Distribution: Original (White) — Committee Duplicate ( ellow) Chief Clerk’s Office
— Duplicate (Pink) — HMSO