Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2404 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the reestablishment of dedicated emergency medical service personnel to staff the aeromedical helicopter unit on the island of Hawaii.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Mayor, County of Hawaii.

Your Committees find that the aeromedical helicopter unit on the Big Island needs to be staffed with personnel trained in such specialized emergency care. Appropriating dedicated funds for this unit will maximize operational effectiveness and operational safety. However, your Committee notes that other aeromedical helicopter units do not have dedicated personnel and the cost for such units are apportioned equally between the State and the county where the service is provided.

Your Committees amended this measure by removing the appropriation amount and including a cost share provision in which the County of Hawaii would share equally in the costs of the program with the State.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2404, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2404, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.