HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1189
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to coronavirus testing at airports.

 

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

 

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that amid rising cases of coronavirus in the United States and globally, the State of Hawaii allows visitors to fly into the state if they comply with the Hawaii Safe Travels Program. This mainly requires visitors to show documentation of a negative covid-19 test result from a certified test site, no more than 72 hours prior to a flight’s departure to Hawaii, otherwise, they are subject to a 10-day mandatory quarantine.

The legislature finds that the covid-19 testing requirements of this program do not guarantee that any incoming traveler is free from the virus. Time spent in transportation, airport security, terminals, and inside airplanes with other individuals who may not have taken a covid-19 test, are all risk factors for contracting the virus within the 72-hour time span.

The legislature finds that several airports in the nation have rapid testing sites conveniently available on site. In San Francisco, California, Dignity Health-GoHealth Urgent Care’s partnership with the San Francisco International Airport provides the covid-19 nucleic acid amplification test using Abbott’s ID NOW technology, with results available in approximately 15 minutes. Similarly, in Los Angeles, California, the Los Angeles International Airport’s partnership with Clarity Labs offers standard nasal swab Polymerase Chain Reaction tests.

The legislature finds that Hawaii's science and technology sectors are at the forefront of rapid testing research and development. Local science and technology company Oceanit, partnered with the University of Hawaii and the Queen's Medical Center, has developed the ASSURE-19 rapid covid-19 test which uses an artificial intelligence designed molecule to seek out proteins in the SARS-CoV-2 virus without special laboratory equipment, delivering results in a matter of minutes. Although clinical testing and emergency use authorization by the federal Food and Drug Administration is still underway, the legislature finds that tests such as ASSURE-19 would be an effective tool in mitigating the spread of the virus and protecting public health.

The legislature finds that requiring rapid covid-19 testing for all incoming visitors and residents is an effective safeguard to ensure that all incoming travelers are free from covid-19 upon immediate arrival in the state of Hawaii. This requirement is especially crucial in the state's economic recovery and reopening, as it reassures the public that it can be done with minimal risk of covid-19 spread. Currently, none of the airports operated by the Hawaii state department of transportation offer on-site, rapid testing for covid-19 for incoming visitors and residents.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to establish safe, effective, and reliable testing sites to conduct rapid covid-19 tests at all airports operated by the department of transportation with flights arriving from the continental United States and internationally, ensuring that no traveler who leaves these airports are at risk of spreading covid-19 to the public.

SECTION 2. The department of transportation, in collaboration with the department of health, shall establish covid-19 testing sites at all airports operated by the department of transportation with flights arriving from the continental United States and internationally. Rapid testing shall be conducted for all individuals over the age of five who arrive from the continental United States or internationally, to any airport in the State of Hawaii operated by the department of transportation, and test results shall be available to the traveler no later than 2 hours after the test is performed.

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 2021-2022 for the funds to purchase rapid covid-19 nucleic acid amplification tests, laboratory equipment, personal protective equipment, and other equipment deemed necessary to conduct rapid covid-19 testing.

The funds appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Coronavirus; Health; Airports; Travel; Tourism; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the department of transportation, in collaboration with the department of health, to establish covid-19 testing sites and conduct rapid testing at all airports operated by the department of transportation with flights arriving from the continental United States and internationally. Appropriates funds.

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.