Appropriates funds for the purchase of ambulances.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that emergency medical services are provided by the State of Hawai`i by means of contracts with the counties. During many of the past years, the State has consistently underfunded the county emergency services, with the result being that equipment replacement was deferred so that monies could be used to make up for operating fund shortfalls. The legislature further finds that the deferral of equipment replacement resulted in the aging of the present ambulance fleet in the City & County of Honolulu beyond the expected life of the vehicles. To address this problem and avoid the hazard to human life and safety which might result from ambulance breakdown and/or unavailability, the purpose of this bill is to provide funding for the replacement of the least serviceable ambulances in the fleet of the City and County of Honolulu.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $900,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for a grant-in-aid to the city and county of Honolulu for the purchase of three ambulances.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the city and county of Honolulu for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.