SB 1425: RELATING TO THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 321-225, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  The advisory committee shall be composed of twenty members:  three nonvoting ex-officio members, who shall be the director of transportation, the adjutant general, and the administrator of the state health planning and development agency, or the designated representatives thereof, and seventeen members representing all counties of the State who shall be appointed by the governor subject to section 26-34 as follows:

     (1)  Five members who shall be physicians experienced in the conduct and delivery of emergency medical services; provided that at least two shall be engaged in the practice of emergency medicine and be board-eligible or board-certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, and provided further that at least one physician shall be engaged in the practice of pediatrics and be board-eligible or board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics;

     (2)  Four members who shall be consumers of health care and who shall have no connection with or relationship to the health care system of the State and who shall be representative of all counties;

     (3)  Four members of allied health professions related to emergency medical services; and

     (4)  Four members, one from each county, who shall be mobile intensive care technicians or emergency medical technicians engaged in the practice of pre-hospital emergency medical service.

The members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, including travel expenses.  The chairperson of the advisory committee shall be elected by the members from among their numbers.  [A majority of the members of the advisory committee] A total of seven members of the advisory committee, who have been appointed by the governor and whose terms have not expired, shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business of the advisory committee.  A majority vote of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is established shall be necessary to validate any action of the committee."

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Department of Health; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee; Quorum

Description:

Amends the quorum requirement for the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

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. 513

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1425

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1425 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the quorum requirement for the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee (EMSAC) was established to provide advisory support for the State's emergency medical services systems.  Your Committee further finds that EMSAC is comprised of twenty members by statute and that meetings are attended both in person and virtually by over fifty community members and health care professionals.  However, due to the nature of the members serving in the emergency medical services system and often being called away for emergency services, EMSAC has had challenges with attendance and meeting quorum.  This measure amends EMSAC's quorum requirements to account for the committee's emergency medical services members who may be called to an emergency and allow EMSAC the ability to conduct its official business.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1425 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,