HI SB971

Repeals the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund and redirects its revenue sources to the general fund, including cigarette tax revenue (1.25 cents per cigarette), motor vehicle registration fees ($5 per vehicle), and investment pool returns.

In fiscal year 2015-2016, the special fund collected $15,490,367.46 total revenue ($8,800,000 from cigarette tax, $6,538,865 from vehicle registration fees, $151,502.46 from investment earnings).

Amends sections 36-27 and 36-30 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to remove the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund from exemptions related to central service assessments and administrative expense sharing.

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.

Modifies cigarette tax distributions to eliminate deposits to the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund after July 1, 2017, redirecting those funds to the Hawaii cancer research special fund and trauma system special fund; effective date is July 1, 2050.