HI SB971

Repeals the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Special Fund established under section 321-234 of Hawaii Revised Statutes, effective July 1, 2050.

Redirects EMS Special Fund revenue sources to the general fund, including cigarette tax revenue (1.25 cents per cigarette, approximately $8.8 million in FY 2015-2016), motor vehicle registration fees ($5 per vehicle, approximately $6.5 million in FY 2015-2016), and investment pool returns (approximately $151,502 in FY 2015-2016).

Appropriates an equivalent dollar-for-dollar amount from general revenues to the Department of Health for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to oversee the statewide comprehensive emergency medical services system.

Removes the EMS Special Fund from the list of exempt funds in the central service assessment deduction provisions (sections 36-27 and 36-30).

Amends section 245-15 to eliminate the 1.25 cents per cigarette allocation to the EMS Special Fund after July 1, 2017, redirecting remaining cigarette tax revenue to Hawaii cancer research and trauma system special funds.