STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1755

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 784

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 784, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys for the operation of an advanced life support ambulance to be based in the Makalei area of the island of Hawaii, including operating and personnel costs.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, County of Hawaii Office of the Mayor, Hawaii County Council - District 8, North Kona, Hawaii Fire Department, Kohala Coast Resort Association, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, The Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, and twenty-two individuals.

Your Committee finds that accessing primary health care in North Kona is challenging for members of the community. Your Committee further finds that providing resources to operate an additional advanced life support ambulance will help reduce death and disability among residents and visitors on the island of Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding an unspecified appropriation for fiscal year 2026‑2027 for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation for personnel services and other current expenses; and

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 784, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 784, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair