Committee approves bill allowing ambulance-license transfers, eases substation rules; due-pass motion adopted

The Senate Human Services Committee voted to give House Bill 1394 a due-pass recommendation after hearing proponents describe the measure as a practical change to ambulance licensing and substation rules.

Bill proponents told the committee the measure would permit ambulance licenses to be transferable with department approval when services consolidate, are sold, or when districts are created, easing administrative obstacles in such transitions. The bill would also change the statutory treatment of “substations,” clarifying that the department assigns service areas to licensed ambulance services and that an ambulance service, not the department, may determine how it organizes substations to deliver coverage.

Bill supporters said the changes would prevent unintended barriers to the formation of substations and improve continuity when services reorganize. Representatives of the North Dakota EMS Association explained that, historically, department assignments of discrete substation response areas had closed the door to certain organizational changes; the bill would allow services flexibility while preserving the department’s role in assigning geographic service areas.

After brief public discussion, Senator Rohrs moved a due-pass motion which Senator Hogan seconded. The committee called the roll and recorded ayes from Senators Lee, Weston, Rohrs, Hogan, Van Osteen and Clemens; the motion passed.

The committee also discussed prior opposition testimony submitted by some municipalities; proponents said earlier concerns had been addressed in amendments made in the House. The committee recorded the due-pass recommendation and identified volunteers to carry the bill to the floor.