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Committee advances bill allowing volunteer first responders to opt into state health plan
Summary
The House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 136, a technical update allowing volunteer firefighters, search-and-rescue personnel and volunteer EMTs additional administrative flexibility to opt into the state group health insurance program.
House lawmakers advanced House Bill 136 on a roll-call vote after brief debate and several public witnesses representing fire chiefs and volunteer organizations.
Representative Steve Harshman, sponsor of the bill, told the Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee the measure is a “little revisers bill” to fix implementation details from a law enacted last year that let volunteer firefighters, search-and-rescue personnel and volunteer EMTs opt into state health insurance. “There was some gray area where that would have excluded you from opting into this program,” Harshman said, and the bill changes paperwork timing and related eligibility language to match legislative intent.
The bill replaces a monthly submission requirement for volunteers to verify status and certifications with an annual submission, Harshman said, and addresses how employer contributions (often from a municipality or volunteer entity) interact with the state program. “It’s another carrot where we can try to get some of these folks,” Harshman said, describing recruitment and retention challenges in rural departments.
Three chiefs with the Wyoming Fire Chiefs Association testified in support. Chief Brent Godfrey of the Bighorn Basin said the bill “gives us tools in our toolbox to recoup and keep firefighters in the service longer.” Chris Coker, Orland Fire Chief and Washington County Fire Warden, said the bill fixes “unintended consequences” from last year’s enactment and noted that any employer contribution from local agencies would depend on each agency’s fiscal ability.
Committee members asked about premium costs and whether volunteers could cover family members or choose different plan tiers. Representative Janet Jarvis proposed an amendment to pluralize “plan” to preserve options; the amendment failed on a recorded vote. Several members reiterated that the bill leaves counties and municipalities the option, not the requirement, to contribute toward premiums.
Representative Harshman moved the bill; Representative Wharf seconded. A roll-call vote recorded nine ayes and no no-votes; the committee advanced HB136 and the chairman said he would find a floor sponsor.
The committee limited in-room public testimony to 60 seconds and heard no registered online proponents for the revised language.
Votes at a glance: House Bill 136 — advanced out of committee (roll-call): 9 aye, 0 no. Representative Steve Harshman moved; Representative Wharf seconded.
The committee indicated staff (Legislative Service Office) drafting follow-up language could address the “plan” versus “plans” wording and other implementation clarifications before later readings.
