Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 783, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to allow emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to retire after 25 years of credited service, irrespective of age.

The City and County of Honolulu Emergency Services Department, Prehospital Emergency Care Professionals Association, Honolulu Paramedic Association, and numerous individuals testified in support of this bill. The Department of Health supported the intent of this bill. Several individuals opposed the bill. The Employees' Retirement System submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that currently, EMTs do not enjoy parity with other public safety personnel, such as police officers, firefighters, and water safety officers, with regard to retirement benefits. EMTs are often placed in physically and emotionally demanding situations, similar to that of other public safety personnel.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

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 S.B. No. 783, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 783, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Labor and Public Employment.