| 47 | | - | SECTION 1. This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii. SECTION 2. The purpose of the state comprehensive emergency medical system that is administered and maintained by the department of health is to reduce medical emergency deaths, injuries, and permanent long-term disability through the implementation of a fully integrated, cohesive network of components. This system is fully staffed by professionals available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, on all islands. However, the department of health has determined that various unbudgeted expenses require additional funding in order to maintain the state comprehensive emergency medical system for the general public. For the current fiscal year, there is an operational budget shortfall of approximately $6,400,000. Failure to restore the shortfall is likely to cause cuts in emergency medical services, including reduced hours of availability of ambulance services and emergency medical personnel. The budget shortfall resulted from incomplete biennium funding for collective bargaining increases, lack of funding for other current expenses related to three new emergency medical vehicles approved in 2018, and coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic-related budget restrictions. While the department is examining several options to improve the resiliency of the statewide system, reforms will not be implemented soon enough to meet the anticipated costs for the current fiscal year. Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to make an emergency appropriation to provide funds for the department of health to address collective bargaining and other current expenses related to the state comprehensive emergency medical system. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for payroll and other current expenses to address the budget shortfall for the state comprehensive emergency medical system. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050. |
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| 47 | + | SECTION 1. This Act is recommended by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii. SECTION 2. The purpose of the state comprehensive emergency medical system that is administered and maintained by the department of health is to reduce medical emergency deaths, injuries, and permanent long-term disability through the implementation of a fully integrated, cohesive network of components. This system is fully staffed by professionals available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, on all islands. However, the department of health has determined that various unbudgeted expenses require additional funding in order to maintain the state comprehensive emergency medical system for the general public. For the current fiscal year, there is an operational budget shortfall of approximately $6,400,000. Failure to restore the shortfall is likely to cause cuts in emergency medical services, including reduced hours of availability of ambulance services and emergency medical personnel. The budget shortfall resulted from incomplete biennium funding for collective bargainng increases, lack of funding for other current expenses releated to three new emergency medical vehicles approved in 2018, and pandemic-related budget restrictions. While the department is examining several options to improve the resiliency of the statwide system, reforms will not be implemented soon enough to meet the anticipated costs for the current fiscal year. Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to make an emergency appropriation to provide funds for the department of health to address collective bargaining and other current expenses related to the state comprehensive emergency medical system. SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $6,400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for payroll and other current expenses shall be appropriated out of the general fund, to address the budget shortfall for the state comprehensive emergency medical system. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________ BY REQUEST |
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