HRS §127D-8
How counties get paid back for helping each other
When one county helps another during an emergency, the county that got help must pay the full cost, unless the helping county chooses to donate. If they disagree about payment, they must try to resolve it, and if they can't, they can use binding arbitration. The arbitration process is spelled out, including how to pick arbitrators and who pays the costs.
counties
The statute, as written — Reimbursement for assistance provided
(a) A requesting member county shall reimburse a responding member county for the true and full value of all assistance provided under this chapter; provided that a responding member county may donate assistance provided under this chapter to a requesting member county. (b) If a dispute regarding reimbursement arises between member counties, the member county asserting the dispute shall provide written notice to the other member county identifying the reimbursement issues in dispute. If the dispute is not resolved within ninety days after receipt of the dispute notice by the other party, either party to the dispute may invoke binding arbitration to resolve the reimbursement dispute by giving written notice to the other party. Within thirty days after receipt of the notice invoking binding arbitration, each party shall furnish to the other party a list of acceptable arbitrators. The parties shall select an arbitrator. If the parties do not agree on an arbitrator, each party shall select one arbitrator and the two arbitrators shall select a third arbitrator for an arbitration panel. Costs of the arbitration, including compensation for the arbitrator's services, shall be borne equally by the parties participating in the arbitration, and each party shall bear its own costs and expenses, including legal fees and witness expenses, in connection with the arbitration proceeding.
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