Bill Text: HI HB1617 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1617 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Counties; Lifeguards; Emergency Medical Services Personnel; General Fund

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-10 - The committee(s) on HLT recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB1617 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1617-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1617
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to emergency services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the counties are typically the first to recognize the need for additional county public safety services such as lifeguards and emergency medical technicians, but must first appeal to the state legislature for funds to address the identified need. The legislature further finds that shifting the responsibility for funding these positions from the State to the counties will enable more efficient and responsive action to address public safety needs as they arise. As these services are essential to the safety of Hawaii's residents and visitors, an increase in general fund transfers to the counties is an appropriate way for the counties to fund these positions.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the director of finance to transfer general funds to the counties to fund lifeguard and emergency medical service personnel positions in the counties.

SECTION 2. Chapter 36, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§36- Transfers of general funds to county agencies. Beginning with fiscal year 2016-2017, the director of finance shall transfer general funds to the counties in the total amount of $ for the counties to employ and maintain lifeguards and emergency medical services personnel in sufficient numbers to ensure public safety, and the total amount shall be allocated as follows:

(1) Kauai county--14.5 per cent;

(2) Hawaii county--18.6 per cent;

(3) City and county of Honolulu--44.1 per cent; and

(4) Maui county--22.8 per cent."

SECTION 3. Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§46- Lifeguard; emergency medical services personnel. (a) Each county shall employ and maintain lifeguards and emergency medical services personnel in sufficient numbers to ensure public safety.

(b) A county may use revenues provided pursuant to section 36- to fund positions established pursuant to this section."

SECTION 4. Section 249-31, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

"(b) From each annual motor vehicle registration fee, the director shall deposit $40 into the state highway fund [~~and $5 into the emergency medical services special fund~~]."

SECTION 5. Section 321-234, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["~~§321-234 Emergency medical services special fund.~~ ~~(a) There is established within the state treasury a special fund to be known as the emergency medical services special fund to be administered and expended by the department.~~

(b) The moneys in the special fund shall be used by the department for operating a state comprehensive emergency medical services system including enhanced and expanded services, and shall not be used to supplant funding for emergency medical services authorized prior to [July 1, 2004].

(c) Fees remitted pursuant to section 249-31, cigarette tax revenues designated under section 245-15, interest and investment earnings attributable to the moneys in the special fund, legislative appropriations, and grants, donations, and contributions from private or public sources for the purposes of the fund, shall be deposited into the special fund.

(d) The department shall submit an annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session that outlines the receipts of, and expenditures from, the special fund."]

SECTION 6. On July 1, 2016, all remaining unencumbered moneys remaining in the emergency medical services special fund on the close of business shall be deposited in the state highway fund.

SECTION 7. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Counties; Lifeguards; Emergency Medical Services Personnel; General Fund

Description:

Authorizes the state director of finance to annually transfer general funds to the counties to fund lifeguard and emergency medical services personnel positions in the counties. Repeals the emergency medical services special fund.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.