Senate Adopts Amendment, Passes Bill to Create EMS Funding Task Force
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Summary
Senate Bill 89 establishes an emergency medical services funding task force to examine funding mechanisms and the feasibility of designating EMS as an essential service; an amendment replacing the word “support” with “fund” for local governments was adopted before final passage.
The South Dakota Senate passed Senate Bill 89 on Feb. 4, 2026, establishing a task force to study emergency medical services (EMS) funding and whether designation of EMS as an essential service is feasible and sustainable across the state.
Senator Reid, who co‑chaired the interim EMS committee, moved amendment 89C to strengthen language in the bill — replacing the word "support" with "fund" when describing assistance for counties and municipalities. The amendment was adopted by voice vote. Reid said the interim committee’s site visits and stakeholder engagement revealed rising call volumes, workforce shortages and heavy reliance on volunteers; he argued the task force will explore funding options before imposing mandates.
On final passage the clerk reported 27 yeas, 7 nays and 1 excused. Reid and other sponsors emphasized the bill creates a deliberative process that would return recommendations to the Legislature and would not itself impose new standards or costs.