S.B. 3126 Summary

• Establishes an Emergency Aeromedical Services Partnership Program administered by the Department of Health in partnership with the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui to provide helicopter medical transport services to underserved rural areas.

• State provides funds for aircraft acquisition and maintenance; participating counties provide operational funds for flight crew, medical staff, and aircraft operations through memoranda of agreement.

• Counties must submit third-party reimbursement information within 30 days of service, with reimbursement funds deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund and distributed quarterly (50% equally among counties, 50% proportionately by billed amount).

• Requires Department of Health to adopt interim rules by January 4, 2026, exempt from administrative procedures chapters, with interim rules remaining in effect until July 1, 2028, or until permanent rules are adopted.

• Appropriates funds from general revenues to the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund and from that fund to establish the program for fiscal year 2024-2025; declares general fund expenditure ceiling will be exceeded.