HB905 is an appropriations bill aimed at strengthening emergency medical services in Hawaii, with a particular focus on Maui. It directs state general funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment for central Maui, and to cover pay-related personnel costs for one state-certified emergency medical technician and one state-certified paramedic. The bill’s findings emphasize population growth in central Maui and the need for faster 911 response times to reduce death and disability for residents and visitors.
The bill also includes a separate appropriation to improve the predictability and stability of air ambulance services for all islands in the state. In practical terms, it seeks to support both ground-based emergency response capacity in a growing part of Maui and statewide access to air medical transport, which can be critical for interisland or remote-area emergencies. The measure is written as a funding bill rather than a regulatory overhaul, and it assigns implementation to the Department of Health.
The bill would affect state spending and the operations of emergency medical services by adding a new ambulance unit and staffing support in central Maui, while also potentially strengthening the state’s air ambulance network. It does not amend licensing or operational statutes directly, but it would influence how the Department of Health allocates resources for EMS and air transport services. The effective date is set for July 1, 3000, which appears to function as a placeholder date rather than a near-term implementation date.
Because no committee transcripts or votes were provided, there is no recorded debate or formal voting history to indicate broader legislative sentiment. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears generally supportive of public health and emergency response capacity, with an emphasis on service reliability and access. The stated rationale frames the bill as a response to population growth and the need for timely medical intervention.
The main point of potential contention would likely be fiscal: the bill requires unspecified general fund appropriations for both the ambulance purchase/staffing and the air ambulance network support. Any debate would likely center on the cost, the allocation of resources between Maui and statewide needs, and whether the Department of Health should prioritize ground ambulance expansion, air ambulance stability, or both at once.
Impact
HB905 would appropriate general funds to the Department of Health for emergency medical services, specifically to purchase and equip one advanced life support ambulance for central Maui and to fund one EMT and one paramedic. It would also provide funding to improve the predictability and stability of air ambulance services statewide. The bill would not directly rewrite existing ambulance statutes, but it would expand state-supported EMS capacity and affect how the Department of Health administers ambulance and air transport services.
Sentiment
No committee discussion or vote record was provided, so there is no documented legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s findings and purpose. The text reflects a favorable policy posture toward expanding emergency medical coverage, especially in central Maui and for statewide air ambulance access. Overall, the measure appears to be framed as a public safety and health access initiative rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
The most likely area of contention is funding, since the bill appropriates unspecified amounts from general revenues for both a new ambulance unit and air ambulance service support. Legislators or stakeholders concerned about budget constraints may question the cost, the need for additional staffing and equipment, or whether the state should prioritize central Maui versus statewide air medical reliability. Another possible point of discussion is the reliance on state funding for services that are currently provided through a private contract in Maui.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.
Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 88th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.