S.B. 239 Summary

• Extends the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) authorization to use Hawaii tobacco settlement special fund moneys for operating expenses through June 30, 2015, with annual reductions rather than expiration on June 30, 2011.

• Establishes the University of Hawaii School of Public Health as an independent entity with a dedicated special fund, including a course of study on tobacco abuse prevention.

• Creates the Hawaii Medical Doctor Loan Program providing loans to medical school students and graduates who commit to practicing medicine in designated rural areas of Hawaii, with loan forgiveness for six years of rural practice.

• Establishes the Hilo Medical Center Rural Interdisciplinary Residency Program special fund to support medical resident training developed by JABSOM and Hilo Medical Center.

• Redirects the annually reduced portion of JABSOM's tobacco settlement fund allocation into the three new special funds in unspecified percentages, with excess moneys transferred to the emergency and budget reserve fund.