STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1050-06

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: S.B. No. 2339

S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2339, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM BRANCH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to meet unexpected increases in ambulance service costs by appropriating:

(1) $7,154,735, for fiscal year 2005-2006, from the general fund to pay for ambulance service contracts and general operating costs for supplies and equipment, including negotiated collective bargaining costs; and

(2) $441,721 from the emergency medical services special fund for contract ambulance services for Maui and Kauai counties and other payments and expenses.

The Department of Health (DOH) and City and County of Honolulu's Emergency Services Department supported this bill.

DOH reported that its financial shortfall occurred due to increased operational and bargaining unit costs that were not accounted for in this fiscal year.

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 S.B. No. 2339, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

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

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair