STAND. COM. REP. NO. 976-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2173

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2173, 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 to:

(1) Purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui and fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel; and

(2) Increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; State Health Planning and Development Agency; Disability and Communication Access Board; one member of the Maui County Council; Hawaii Medical Association; AMR; and five individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2173, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair