Senate panel votes 'do not pass' on bill to address distressed ambulance services after local pushback

The Senate Appropriations — Human Resources Division voted to recommend "do not pass" for Senate Bill 2033, a proposal to create a program addressing "distressed" emergency ambulance services, after members said local ambulance providers opposed the bill and raised questions about a proposed full-time equivalent position and consultant funding.

The bill, discussed at the panel meeting, would establish definitions and regulatory authority related to distressed ambulance services and contemplated departmental staffing and use of a consultant to support the program. Senator Mather proposed amending the bill to fund a consultant "in the amount of, like a hundred thousand dollars to help the department figure out how this program should be operated," and said he would not authorize an FTE at this time. Senator Mangrum reported outreach to local providers, saying, "kill the bill. They don't want it. They didn't think it was gonna be of any help." Senator Davidson moved a do-not-pass recommendation, arguing there was little advocacy for the bill in the record: "there's nobody here fighting for this bill."

Nut Graf: Lawmakers split over whether the measure would help rural and small ambulance units or introduce unnecessary regulation and bureaucracy. Those supporting further work said the bill could create a mechanism to identify services at risk of failure; opponents said local providers had not been consulted and opposed the department charging or otherwise penalizing community services.

Committee members advanced several concerns in debate. Opponents described two kinds of risk: that the bill's consultant would be funded by troubled services that could not afford it, and that the program could be used to remove small local ambulance providers. Senator Mangrum said providers he contacted "didn't even talk to the... local ambulances I’ve talked to so they're not in favor of it," and warned that the proposal might "remove some of the rural guys." Others, including Senator Mather, said smaller units often do not participate in interim meetings and suggested a limited, consultant-led study could better define the program before deciding on permanent staffing.

Senator Davidson moved a motion for a do-not-pass recommendation; Senator Mangrum seconded. The clerk called the roll. Recorded votes in the hearing transcript include: Senator Clary — yes; Senator Davidson — yes; Senator Dever — yes; Senator Grama — yes; Senator Mattern — no. The chair announced the motion carried. The committee noted the bill would still go to the full appropriations committee before any floor consideration.

The discussion also included procedural alternatives. One member suggested narrowing the bill to a single definition of "distressed ambulance service" and removing other provisions, leaving only a licensing mechanism the department could use to designate distress. Another member urged that bill authors and staff return after outreach to local providers and the interim association before advancing the measure.

Ending: The subcommittee made a formal do-not-pass recommendation on SB 2033 and did not adopt amendments. Committee members indicated the bill will proceed next to the full appropriations committee according to regular process. The panel adjourned with routine scheduling notes for upcoming appropriations hearings.