STAND. COM. REP. NO. 756

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1245

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1245, H.D. 1, 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 the Department of Health for the purchase of one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in Central Maui, and to fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Maui County Council, American Medical Response, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that it is critically important for the State to ensure its residents have prompt access to emergency health care. Your Committee further finds that, while emergency response times remain low in Maui County, the County's expected population growth warrants additional emergency services, including an advanced life support ambulance and related equipment and emergency personnel. This measure therefore appropriates funds to ensure that the residents of Central Maui retain timely access to emergency health care.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1245, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair