THE SENATE S.B. NO. 1426 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 S.D. 1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY AEROMEDICAL SERVICES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
THE SENATE S.B. NO. 1426
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
1426
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EMERGENCY AEROMEDICAL SERVICES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that most rural communities in the State have fewer health care resources compared to communities on Oahu, including access to advanced levels of trauma care, medical specialists, and sub-specialists. This puts patients in these areas at greater risk of poor outcomes for serious medical conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and traumatic bodily injuries. The legislature further finds that the existing aeromedical services system is overburdened. The State is currently served by only one statewide aeromedical provider, for which there are few viable and cost-effective alternatives in the event of a grounding, for example, due to maintenance issues or crew availability. Emergency aeromedical services are not available for many patients in rural counties and areas. The legislature further finds that one model to improve emergency aeromedical services could be based on the county of Maui's medevac service model. Act 2, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, appropriated general funds for the provision of emergency aeromedical helicopter services for the county of Maui. Act 213, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, appropriated general funds for a replacement helicopter for the county of Maui aeromedical emergency medical services program. The department of health cost-shares a helicopter with the county of Maui and contracts with a private entity to provide staff and operate the helicopter for emergency aeromedical services. The legislature further finds that the department of health has the authority to establish emergency aeromedical services but lacks sufficient resources to implement the Maui model in other rural counties. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to increase the availability of emergency aeromedical services. SECTION 2. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to assist the counties, other than the county of Kalawao, to increase access to emergency aeromedical services, to be allocated as follows: (1) $ to the city and county of Honolulu; (2) $ to the county of Maui; (3) $ to the county of Hawaii; and (4) $ to the county of Kauai. The sums appropriated shall be expended by each county for the purposes of this Act. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to be deposited into the emergency medical services special fund. SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the emergency medical services special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of and operating expenses for emergency aeromedical services, including the procurement of helicopters. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act. SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that most rural communities in the State have fewer health care resources compared to communities on Oahu, including access to advanced levels of trauma care, medical specialists, and sub-specialists. This puts patients in these areas at greater risk of poor outcomes for serious medical conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and traumatic bodily injuries.
The legislature further finds that the existing aeromedical services system is overburdened. The State is currently served by only one statewide aeromedical provider, for which there are few viable and cost-effective alternatives in the event of a grounding, for example, due to maintenance issues or crew availability. Emergency aeromedical services are not available for many patients in rural counties and areas.
The legislature further finds that one model to improve emergency aeromedical services could be based on the county of Maui's medevac service model. Act 2, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, appropriated general funds for the provision of emergency aeromedical helicopter services for the county of Maui. Act 213, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, appropriated general funds for a replacement helicopter for the county of Maui aeromedical emergency medical services program. The department of health cost-shares a helicopter with the county of Maui and contracts with a private entity to provide staff and operate the helicopter for emergency aeromedical services.
The legislature further finds that the department of health has the authority to establish emergency aeromedical services but lacks sufficient resources to implement the Maui model in other rural counties. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to increase the availability of emergency aeromedical services.
SECTION 2. 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to assist the counties, other than the county of Kalawao, to increase access to emergency aeromedical services, to be allocated as follows:
(1) $ to the city and county of Honolulu;
(2) $ to the county of Maui;
(3) $ to the county of Hawaii; and
(4) $ to the county of Kauai.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by each county for the purposes of this Act.
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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to be deposited into the emergency medical services special fund.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the emergency medical services special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of and operating expenses for emergency aeromedical services, including the procurement of helicopters.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.
Report Title: DOH; Counties; Emergency Aeromedical Services; Emergency Medical Services Special Fund; Appropriations Description: Appropriates funds to the counties to increase access to emergency aeromedical services. Appropriates funds into and out of the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund to the Department of Health for the establishment and operating expenses for emergency aeromedical services. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1) The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
Report Title:
DOH; Counties; Emergency Aeromedical Services; Emergency Medical Services Special Fund; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates funds to the counties to increase access to emergency aeromedical services. Appropriates funds into and out of the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund to the Department of Health for the establishment and operating expenses for emergency aeromedical services. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.