STAND. COM. REP. NO. 346-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1966

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1966 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SPECIAL FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to modernize the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund by:

(1) Authorizing revenues derived from billable emergency medical services to be deposited into the Special Fund;

(2) Amending the composition and allowable uses of the Special Fund; and

(3) Establishing an annual cap on the Special Fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and Emergency Medical Services & Injury Prevention System Branch of the Department of Health. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the State Procurement Office. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund sustains and enhances the statewide emergency medical services system of care. These services are essential to the health and safety of Hawaii's residents and visitors, particularly given the State's geographic isolation, rural communities, and reliance on coordinated emergency response systems.

Your Committee further finds that the statutory framework governing revenues deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund does not adequately reflect modern emergency medical services operations, financing structures, or reimbursement models. This measure provides essential updates to the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund to strengthen the State's ability to maintain consistent emergency medical service levels, address workforce challenges, and support continuous system improvements.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1966, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1966, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair