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Council introduces expedited Bill 6-26 to allocate EMS transport reimbursements to volunteer fire association
Summary
Lead sponsors introduced expedited Bill 6-26 to clarify that EMS transport reimbursement revenues may be distributed to local volunteer fire and rescue departments or their representative association for enumerated uses; a public hearing is set for Feb. 24, 2026.
The Montgomery County Council on Feb. 3 introduced expedited Bill 6-26, which would amend county law to permit an authorized local fire and rescue representative to receive emergency medical service transport (EMST) reimbursement revenues for specified uses.
Council Member Katz, a co-lead sponsor, told the council the intent is to clarify county code so that Montgomery County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MCVFR A, as referenced in the record) and local volunteer fire and rescue departments may continue to receive and use EMST revenues for enumerated purposes that support volunteers and local operations. Katz cited an Office of Inspector General report that raised questions about prior distributions and said the proposed language would remove ambiguity.
Several council members asked to be added as co-sponsors during the introduction. County staff clarified that the bill's funds are explicitly allowed to go to local fire and rescue departments (LFRDs) and that, alternately, funds could go to the LFRD representative organization only for narrow, enumerated purposes to support volunteers.
A public hearing on Bill 6-26 is scheduled for Feb. 24, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
