JFAC adds $250,000 and three FTEs as emergency medical services move to Military Division

The Joint Finance Appropriations Committee approved a funding adjustment to support the transfer of emergency medical services from the Department of Health and Welfare to the Military Division, adding $250,000 in dedicated funds and three full‑time equivalent positions to the Military Management Program.

For the record, Frances Lippett, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the committee’s prior action transferred EMS to the military division and provided funding for a part‑time medical director and one‑time transition costs. The action considered at the meeting adds $250,000 in personnel costs to the military management program to provide administrative and fiscal support for the EMS program; the motion also increases the program’s FTE count by three. Lippett said that when comparing personnel removed from Health and Welfare to those added to the Military Division, the Military Division would ultimately gain one additional FTE.

Representative Price asked why more employees were needed in the Military Division than before. Lippett explained that the Department of Health and Welfare has a larger support staff and broader economies of scale (the analyst cited about 435 FTE in the Military Division versus roughly 3,000 at Health and Welfare), so the Military Division requires dedicated administrative staff to carry procurement, human resources and other functions previously supported by Health and Welfare.

Senator Burkey moved the funding package and Representative Galaviz seconded. Senator Bjerke spoke in support of relocating EMS and the fiscal change. The recorded vote produced a committee tally of 16 ayes and 4 nays. The chair announced the item will proceed with a do‑pass recommendation.