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JFAC approves $250,000 and 3 FTE to support EMS move to Military Division in HB206 trailer
Summary
The committee approved a $250,000 dedicated‑fund increase and three full‑time positions to the Military Division’s management program to support the transfer of emergency medical services from the Department of Health and Welfare, a follow‑up action tied to House Bill 206.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee approved a fiscal trailer action providing $250,000 in personnel costs and three full‑time equivalent positions to the Military Division’s military management program to support the transition of emergency medical services (EMS) from the Department of Health and Welfare.
Frances Lippett, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the action continues work begun the previous day to implement a transfer provided under House Bill 206. She said the proposal would place administrative, fiscal, human resources and procurement functions for EMS within the military management program. “When you are comparing the number of personnel that were removed from the Department of Health and Welfare to those that would ultimately be added to the military division, the military division would gain 1 additional FTE here,” Lippett said.
Lippett and committee members explained the need for additional staff partly stems from differences in administrative scale: the Department of Health and Welfare has a larger pool of shared support staff (roughly 3,000 employees) than the Military Division (roughly 438 employees), so tasks previously absorbed by DHW support teams must be provided within the military program.
Senator Burkey moved the trailer action to fund $250,000 and three FTE; Representative Galaviz seconded. Senator Bjerke urged support, calling the change “appropriate” given the analysis of support staffing and the division’s willingness to assume the responsibility. The motion passed with a committee tally of 16 ayes and 4 nays and will move forward with a do‑pass recommendation.
The approved action supplements earlier committee decisions to transfer EMS to the Military Division and to provide funding for a part‑time medical director and one‑time transition costs; committee members discussed that the military management program will now house the administrative and fiscal functions that support EMS operations.
