RS 32075 introduced to move EMS administration to Idaho Military Division and streamline governance

Representative Mark Souder, District 1 (Sandpoint), told the committee RS 32075 would transfer most EMS administrative resources from the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) to the Idaho Military Division and co‑locate them with the Office of Emergency Management. "Essentially, what it does is it moves our EMS resources from the Department of Health and Welfare to our Military Division to be co located with the Office of Emergency Management," Souder said.

Souder said the RS moves all EMS resources except one item he identified as the Public Health Preparedness and Response grant. He told the committee the change would reduce total FTEs by two and would reduce the number of dedicated funds from four to three. Souder said the funding streams include a driver's-license fee and a vehicle-registration fee that help support EMS funding.

The RS would also "sunset all EMS rules and require any necessary [rule changes] to be proposed for inclusion in statute by the 2027 legislative session," Souder said. The RS would eliminate a multi-member physician board and instead assign a part-time physician to advise statewide EMS decisions, the sponsor said, asserting the change would reduce red tape and speed decision-making.

Representative Harris asked whether the RS seeks to make EMS an essential service; Souder said it does not, characterizing the proposal as an operational reorganization rather than a budget or essential-service designation. Commissioner Nicholson asked which stakeholders were consulted; Souder said he worked with DHW EMS staff, the Military Division, and fire districts across the state.

Commissioner Nicholson moved to introduce RS 32075; the committee approved the motion by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Sponsors said the RS will be scheduled for bill hearings where technical rule, funding, and operational details will be provided.