HB 905: RELATING TO AMBULANCES.

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 2025-2026 and the same sum 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 sums 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 2025-2026 and the same sum 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, 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 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.  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.

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 concern for 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 2025-2026 and the same sum 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 sums 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 2025-2026 and the same sum 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, 2025.

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.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  572

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 905

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 905 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

     (2)  Increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; one member of the Maui County Council; and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.  

     Your Committee finds that in the County of Maui there are a total of nine ambulances to serve the entire county, with one unit each in East Maui, Kahului, and Wailuku and two units each in South Maui, West Maui, and Upcountry Maui.  Your Committee further finds that as the result of significant population growth, the Central Maui region would benefit from the addition of an advanced life support ambulance, which will help reduce death and disability among residents and visitors by providing timely responses to 911 calls.

     Your Committee notes the Department of Health's recommendation in their written testimony before your Committee suggesting consideration of alternative service models such as mobile integrated health or community paramedicine programs, which are designed to address emergency and non-emergency needs at a potentially lower cost that could ensure the long-term sustainability and efficiency of emergency medical services, particularly in underserved areas.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment 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 the increase of available air ambulance services.

     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. 905, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 905, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,