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Committee advances SP 379 after amending $300,000 funding transfer to certified, as‑needed process
Summary
A legislative committee voted to advance SP 379, which authorizes the state 911 board to set up a statewide emergency medical dispatch and telecommunicator CPR program, after approving an amendment that changes a proposed $300,000 immediate transfer into a certified, as‑needed transfer capped at $300,000 total.
A committee meeting advanced SP 379 on a voice vote after members approved an amendment that alters how up to $300,000 in funding would move from the state 911 operations fund into a new emergency medical dispatch (EMD) and telecommunicator CPR (TCPR) fund.
The amendment, explained by the committee’s assistant adviser Nick, removes language directing an immediate $300,000 transfer and instead authorizes transfers only when the state 911 board determines amounts are necessary and certifies those amounts to the Director of Accounts and Reports and to the Director of Budget and Legislative Research. "Instead of just that direct $300,000 transfer, this would be transfers when money is needed," Nick said during the meeting.
The committee also clarified that the bill caps the total transfers at $300,000 rather than authorizing an ongoing annual appropriation. "In no event shall the total amount of money transferred pursuant to this paragraph exceed $300,000," Nick said when asked whether the figure was annual or a one‑time cap.
Several senators pressed for clearer governance language during debate. Senator Pack questioned repeatedly why the amendment referenced the chairperson’s designee, calling the phrase open‑ended and asking who could be named as a designee. Senator Francisco proposed language making the state 911 board responsible for determining necessary amounts and authorizing the chair to certify them; senators discussed explicitly naming the board’s executive director as the officer who could certify transfers to avoid ambiguity.
Senator Bowser said she had spoken with sheriffs who operate dispatch centers and cautioned against making participation mandatory for small counties with minimal staffing. "As long as this bill is not mandatory ... I think he's okay with that. But to mandate it on some of these smaller counties would be a bit of a burden," she said, indicating support for the amendment as drafted.
Senator Clifford urged retaining language that allows the board to certify transfers "on an ongoing basis" so that additional tranches can be authorized as new expenses arise, within the $300,000 cap.
After debate and the amendment vote, Senator Peterson moved to report SP 379 favorably as amended; Senator Francisco seconded. The committee advanced the bill by voice vote and closed the session.
The record does not specify a committee name, a committee vote tally, or an exact implementation timeline for the program; the amendment limits transfers to a $300,000 total and requires certification by the 911 board (or its designated official) before any transfer.
