Paramedic scholarship program made permanent, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nathan Coulter and 1 co-sponsor

Permanently establishes Minnesota's paramedic scholarship program and funds it, expanding financial support for paramedic students and EMS education.

Author added Davids

#education-higher

HF 1603 — Paramedic scholarship program made permanent, and money appropriated

Overview

HF 1603 is a Minnesota House of Representatives bill proposed to codify and permanently establish the paramedic scholarship program and to authorize funding for it. The bill is classified under Education-Higher and is linked to its Senate companion SF 1940. The first appearance was February 26, 2025, with a status update on March 24, 2025 noting that Davids was added as an author. The bill has been referred to the Higher Education Finance and Policy committee.

Purpose and intent

Make permanent the paramedic scholarship program (i.e., transition from a temporary or pilot status to a permanent program).

Provide state funding through an appropriation to support the program.

Key provisions (as stated)

The primary, explicitly stated changes are:

Permanently establish the paramedic scholarship program.
Appropriate money to support the program.

The text provided does not include detailed provisions such as eligibility criteria, maximum award amounts, duration of awards, repayment terms, annual reporting, or administrative responsibilities.

Who would be affected

Prospective and current paramedic students and trainees seeking financial support.

Institutions and administrators involved in paramedic education and program administration.

The broader Minnesota health care workforce, particularly emergency medical services personnel, who may benefit from expanded access to training funding.

Fiscal impact and funding

The bill indicates an appropriation will be provided, but no specific dollar amounts are included in the available information.

The final fiscal impact will depend on the enacted appropriation level, eligibility rules, and award design outlined in the bill’s text.

Procedural and timeline details

Introduced: February 26, 2025.

Legislative Actions: February 26, 2025 – Introduction and first reading; referred to Higher Education Finance and Policy.

March 24, 2025 – Author added Davids (update to sponsor information).

Next expected steps: committee hearings and discussion in Higher Education Finance and Policy, potential amendments, and a floor vote. The companion Senate bill is SF 1940, which may move in parallel.

Important to review (for full understanding)

The actual bill text to confirm eligibility criteria (e.g., student status, field of study, residency), award amounts, duration, renewal requirements, repayment terms, and reporting requirements.

The enacted fiscal note to gauge the annual cost and funding mechanism.

Any related programmatic changes, oversight, or administration details (which agency administers the scholarship, how funds are disbursed, and how performance metrics are tracked).