HB 2173: Emergency Medical Services; Advanced Life Support Ambulance; Central Maui; Statewide Air Ambulance Network System; Department of Health; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-27
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-03-30: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill appropriates state funds to the Department of Health to buy one advanced life support (ALS) ambulance with equipment to be based in central Maui and to pay for one state-certified emergency medical technician and one state-certified paramedic. It also provides funding to improve the predictability and stability of air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State. Effective 1/31/2050. (SD1)
Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase of one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2173 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AMBULANCES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is of critical importance to the State to ensure its residents have prompt access to primary health care. The legislature further finds that in the county of Maui, ambulance services are being provided through a private contract with American Medical Response with state funding, and that a total of nine ambulances are based at various state, county, and private facilities throughout the county -– specifically, one unit each in east Maui, Kahului, and Wailuku, and two units each in south Maui, west Maui, and upcountry Maui.
The legislature also finds that because of the significant population growth in central Maui, residents in the area would greatly benefit from the addition of an advanced life support ambulance. The legislature further finds that an advanced life support ambulance will help reduce death and disability among residents and visitors to central Maui by providing timely responses to 911 calls, which is critical to increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes for injured or sick individuals.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to:
(1) Purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in the central Maui area of the county of Maui and fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel; and
(2) Increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
SECTION 2. 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 2026-2027 for the purchase of one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in the central Maui area of the county of Maui, and to fund pay-related personnel costs for one state‑certified emergency medical technician and one state‑certified paramedic.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
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 2026-2027 to increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 31, 2050.
Report Title:
Emergency Medical Services; Advanced Life Support Ambulance; Central Maui; Statewide Air Ambulance Network System; Department of Health; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State. Effective 1/31/2050. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2173 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO AMBULANCES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is of critical importance to the State to ensure its residents have prompt access to primary health care. The legislature further finds that in the county of Maui, ambulance services are being provided through a private contract with American Medical Response with state funding, and that a total of nine ambulances are based at various state, county, and private facilities throughout the county -– specifically, one unit each in east Maui, Kahului, and Wailuku, and two units each in south Maui, west Maui, and upcountry Maui.
The legislature also finds that because of the significant population growth in central Maui, residents in the area would greatly benefit from the addition of an advanced life support ambulance. The legislature further finds that an advanced life support ambulance will help reduce death and disability among residents and visitors to central Maui by providing timely responses to 911 calls, which is critical to increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes for injured or sick individuals.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to:
(1) Purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in the central Maui area of the county of Maui and fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel; and
(2) Increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
SECTION 2. 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 2026-2027 for the purchase of one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in the central Maui area of the county of Maui, and to fund pay-related personnel costs for one state-certified emergency medical technician and one state-certified paramedic.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
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 2026-2027 to increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Emergency Medical Services; Advanced Life Support Ambulance; Central Maui; Statewide Air Ambulance Network System; Department of Health; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2173 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to Ambulances.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is of critical importance to the State to ensure its residents have prompt access to primary health care. The legislature further finds that in the county of Maui, ambulance services are being provided through a private contract with American Medical Response with state funding, and that a total of nine ambulances are based at various state, county, and private facilities throughout the county -– specifically, one unit each in east Maui, Kahului, and Wailuku, and two units each in south Maui, west Maui, and upcountry Maui.
The legislature also finds that there has been significant population growth in central Maui, and therefore, residents in the area would greatly benefit from the addition of an advanced life support ambulance. The legislature further finds that an advanced life support ambulance will help reduce death and disability among residents and visitors to central Maui by providing timely responses to 911 calls, which is critical to increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes for injured or sick individuals.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to:
(1) Purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in the central Maui area of the county of Maui and fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel; and
(2) Increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
SECTION 2. 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 2026-2027 for the purchase of one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in the central Maui area of the county of Maui, and to fund pay-related personnel costs for one state-certified emergency medical technician and one state-certified paramedic.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
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 2026-2027 to increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Emergency Medical Services; Advanced Life Support Ambulance; Central Maui; Statewide Air Ambulance Network System; Department of Health; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase of one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Mar 30, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3300) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Mar 23, 2026 | The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Mar 20, 2026 | The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 1:40PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Referred to HHS, WAM. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 192). |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso, Quinlan, Sayama excused (3). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 976-26), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Mar 3, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 27, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). |
| Feb 18, 2026 | Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 351-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. |
| Feb 13, 2026 | The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none. |
| Feb 10, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Friday, 02-13-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Referred to HLT, FIN, referral sheet 5 |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Pending introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 23, 2026 | The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services |
Passed |
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| Mar 6, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Mar 3, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
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| Feb 13, 2026 | The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Health |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| American Medical Response (AMR) | *** Support | Mar 23, 2026 |
| AMR | ** Support | |
| Department of Health | ** Support | |
| Disability and Communication Access Board | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Medical Association (HMA) | *** Support | Mar 23, 2026 |
| Maui County Council | *** Support | Mar 23, 2026 |
| Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) | *** Support | Mar 23, 2026 |
| State Health Planning and Development Agency | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 976-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 2173
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2173, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AMBULANCES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Health to:
(1) Purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui and fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel; and
(2) Increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2173, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,
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____________________________ CHRIS TODD, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 351-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 2173
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2173 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AMBULANCES,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to:
(1) Purchase an advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in the Central Maui area of the County of Maui and fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel; and
(2) Increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
Your Committee finds that statewide 911 EMS data clearly demonstrates that Maui County is experiencing sustained and increasing demand for emergency medical services, particularly in the Central Maui region, with thirty-four percent of all EMS responses for Maui County originating from Central Maui. Your Committee further finds that because of Maui County's geographic challenges and the presence of remote and rural areas that are not within close proximity to acute care hospitals, response times to 911 calls across Maui County are typically slower than the Department of Health's quality benchmarks and that transport times are almost ten minutes longer than the national EMS benchmark. This measure seeks to reduce death and disability among residents and visitors to Central Maui by providing funds for an advanced life support ambulance, which will ensure timely responses to 911 calls.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $1,750,000 for an advanced life support ambulance and related equipment for Central Maui and related personnel costs.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2173, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2173, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,
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____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 23, 2026 | HB2173_HD1_TESTIMONY_HHS_03-23-26_.PDF |
| Mar 3, 2026 | HB2173_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_03-03-26_.PDF |
| Feb 13, 2026 | HB2173_TESTIMONY_HLT_02-13-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
38SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment
38SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services
30SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment
30SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Finance
2MIN
House Standing Committee on Health
29SEC
House Standing Committee on Health
Bill Author
