Report Title:

AIDS Research; Appropriation

 

Description:

Makes an appropriation for the Hawaii AIDS clinical research program.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

136

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to aids research.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The Hawaii AIDS clinical research program of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine is a world-class organization whose mission is to develop clinical research capabilities to evaluate optimal therapies for HIV-1 infection and AIDS-associated complications; provide access to clinical research trials and studies for all HIV-1 patients in Hawaii; and to facilitate the transfer of research findings to clinical care that will ultimately improve the lives of patients with HIV-1 infection.

     The Hawaii AIDS clinical research program offers many important services including providing HIV-specialized patient care and providing Hawaii patients with access to new HIV medications before these medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.  The program also ensures that Hawaii's unique ethnic groups are represented in national multi-state HIV trials.  In addition, the Hawaii AIDS clinical research program is responsible for obtaining over $26,000,000 in federal and commercial funding for the University of Hawaii over the last fifteen years.

     The Hawaii AIDS clinical trials unit is part of the Hawaii AIDS clinical research program and provides basic infrastructure for the program.  The unit has been notified by the National Institutes of Health that it will no longer be funded.  With the lack of infrastructure funding for the Hawaii AIDS clinical research program, the University of Hawaii could potentially lose $21,000,000 in current and pending HIV-related grant funds.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide funding to ensure that the basic infrastructure of the entire Hawaii AIDS clinical research program can remain viable and productive.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,200,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, to the University of Hawaii for the Hawaii AIDS clinical research program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.


     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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