RELATING TO THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Summary
HB1106 amends Hawaii law governing the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee by changing the committee’s quorum requirement. Under current law, a majority of the committee members constitutes a quorum; the bill replaces that standard with a fixed quorum of seven appointed members whose terms have not expired. The committee’s overall membership structure remains the same: 20 total members, including three nonvoting ex officio members and 17 gubernatorial appointees representing physicians, health care consumers, allied health professions, and emergency medical technicians from all counties.
The bill does not change the committee’s substantive duties, membership categories, compensation rules, or voting threshold for action once a quorum is present. Its effect is procedural, making it easier to determine when the committee may conduct business and potentially allowing meetings to proceed even if fewer than a majority of the full membership is available, so long as seven eligible appointed members are present. The bill would take effect upon approval.
Impact
HB1106 would amend section 321-225, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by revising only the quorum language for the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. The change shifts the quorum from a majority of the committee to seven appointed members whose terms have not expired, while leaving the committee’s composition, appointment process, and majority-vote requirement for actions unchanged. The practical impact is on committee operations and scheduling rather than on emergency medical services policy or provider regulation.
Sentiment
The available record suggests generally neutral or routine support for the bill, with no recorded votes or committee testimony indicating opposition. The measure appears to be an administrative housekeeping change aimed at improving the committee’s ability to meet and conduct business. Because there are no transcripts or vote tallies, there is no evidence of significant controversy in the materials provided.
Contention
The only notable point of potential contention is the quorum change itself. Supporters would likely view the fixed seven-member quorum as a way to reduce the risk of meetings failing for lack of a majority of the full committee, while critics could argue that lowering the quorum may allow a smaller subset of members to act on committee business. No specific stakeholder objections, amendments, or debate points are available in the provided record.
Urging The aha Moku Advisory Committee To Follow Its Adopted Rules Of Practice, Fulfill Its Statutory Duties, Establish Policies To Assure Consistent Standards Of Administrative And Managerial Accountability; And Convening A Working Group To Make Recommendations.
Urging The aha Moku Advisory Committee To Follow Its Adopted Rules Of Practice, Fulfill Its Statutory Duties, Including Complying With The Sunshine Law, Conduct A Performance Review Of Its Executive Director, And Establish Policies To Assure Consistent Standards Of Administrative And Managerial Accountability; And Requesting The Office Of The Auditor To Conduct A Comprehensive Performance And Financial Audit Of The aha Moku Advisory Committee.
Relating to certain advisory entities and work groups under the jurisdiction of the comptroller of public accounts or on which the comptroller's office is represented and to the repeal or redesignation of certain of those entities.